INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Libya: Overseas Aid

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department has allocated for humanitarian purposes to assist people  (a) in Libya and  (b) seeking to leave Libya since 1 January 2011; for what purposes any sums over £100,000 were allocated; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) takes the humanitarian issues arising out of the Libyan crisis very seriously. To assist people in Libya, DFID has provided £2 million of funding to the International Committee of the Red Cross who are active inside many areas of Libya now. This will fund three medical teams with supplies to treat 3,000 people affected by fighting and 100,000 of those in greatest need.
	The total directly allocated by DFID to assist people seeking to leave Libya is £8.04 million. The breakdown of this funding is detailed in the tables. The majority of the funding has been for repatriation flights for over 12,000 people from the border camps. In addition, the UK was the first country to provide blankets and tents giving shelter for up to 10,000 people stranded at the Libya-Tunisia border. The actions by the UK and other international donors have avoided a logistical problem becoming a humanitarian crisis,
	DFID has also provided indirect contributions via the European Commission.
	
		
			  DFID bilateral contributions in response to Libya unrest 
			  Activity  Purpose  Recipient  Amount (£ million) 
			  To assist people within Libya
			 Support to ICRC Medical supplies to assist people within Libya. ICRC 2 
			 
			  To assist people seeking to leave Libya
			 Shelter Supplies Shelter supplies for people at the Libyan borders IOM/UNHCR 0.84 
			 Repatriations Repatriation flights for people at the Libyan borders (35 flights to move 6,195 Egyptians and 521 Bangladeshis) and support to IOM operations IOM (including in kind contribution of flights) 3.1 
			 Support to IOM Funding for additional repatriation flights IOM/UNHCR 4 
			 Air Ops Advisers Advisers seconded to UNHCR UNHCR 0.1 
			 Total - - 10.04 
		
	
	
		
			  DFID indirect contributions 
			  Activity  Purpose  Recipient  Amount (£ million) 
			 EC 15% of €30 million EC Funds Committed Various 3.87 
			 Total - - 3.87 
			 
			 Grand total - - 13.91

Overseas Aid

Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2011,  Official Report, column 844W, on overseas aid, when he plans to publish the operational plans for each country receiving bilateral aid from his Department.

Andrew Mitchell: Operational plans will be published from April 2011.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Departmental Public Bodies

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities which public bodies sponsored by the Government Equalities Office  (a) have been and  (b) are to be closed, merged or reorganised following her appointment; and how many (i) women and (ii) men who are public appointees at each body will no longer hold such an appointment in consequence.

Lynne Featherstone: The coalition Government are committed to increasing the accountability of public bodies, and this involves reducing their number and their cost to the taxpayer. The proposals for the majority of bodies across all departments, including the Government Equalities Office, were announced and published on 14 October 2010. An updated list reflecting changes since October 2010 was published on the Cabinet Office website on 16 March 2011.
	Summary information on public appointments is published annually by the Cabinet Office. This includes data on gender. Copies of the most recent report can be downloaded from:
	www.civilservice.gov.uk/ndpb

Departmental Public Bodies

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 9-10WS, on the public bodies reform programme, what estimate she has made of the savings to the Government Equalities Office net of costs incurred in the assumption of additional departmental responsibilities to accrue from  (a) the abolition of 11 public bodies within the Office's area of responsibility and  (b) the change in function of one such body.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 21 March 2011
	 The Minister for the Cabinet Office issued a written ministerial statement on 16 March 2011,  Official  Report, columns 9-10WS, updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced that Departments estimate cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow from public bodies over the spending review period.
	For bodies sponsored or formerly sponsored by the Government Equalities Office, I anticipate from structural reforms net overall savings of £86 million, and net overall administrative savings of £37 million, over the spending review period.

Racial Discrimination

Richard Fuller: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities if she will bring forward proposals to use the powers in section 9 (5) (a) of the Equality Act 2010 to make caste an aspect of race for the purposes of the Act.

Lynne Featherstone: In March 2010 the Government commissioned an independent report on caste prejudice and discrimination in Great Britain from the National Institute for Economic and Social Research. The report was published in December 2010.
	One of the purposes of the report was to help consideration of whether the power relating to caste contained within the Equality Act 2010 should be exercised. The Government are still considering the report carefully, together with the various representations that they have subsequently received from a range of lobby groups, and will announce their conclusions on whether or not to exercise the power in due course.

Women's National Commission.

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what estimate the Government Equalities Office has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Women's National Commission.

Lynne Featherstone: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given on 25 November 2010,  Official Report, column 465W.

PRIME MINISTER

Chequers

Tom Watson: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make proposals to the independent trustees responsible for Chequers, for Chequers to be open to the public.

David Cameron: This is a matter for the trustees.

Chequers: Operating Costs

Tom Watson: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2011,  Official Report, column 31W, on Chequers: operating costs, in which year a grant was first made from the Cabinet Office to the independent trustees.

David Cameron: The authority for the issuing of grants in aid to the Chequers Trust derives from the Chequers Estate Act 1958.

Personnel: Criminal Investigation

Tom Watson: To ask the Prime Minister whether he requires members of staff at No. 10 Downing Street to inform him when they are subject to criminal investigation.

David Cameron: Matters relating to the conduct of members of staff are set out in the Cabinet Office Human Resources Code.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Preventing Violent Extremism Programme

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which external bodies received funding from his Department and its agencies from the  (a) community resilience and  (b) Preventing Violent Extremism funding streams in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11; and (A) how much each received and (B) what the purpose of the payment was in each case, listing the value of the payments and purpose of the payment to each individual or body.

Andrew Stunell: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not operate a separate funding stream for community resilience.
	Owing to the quantity of data involved, details regarding the bodies and individuals that received funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government under the Preventing Violent Extremism funding stream have been placed in the Library of the House.

Aerials: Planning Permission

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to revise guidance issued to local authorities on the treatment of planning applications from mobile telephone operators.

Bob Neill: We are considering how to take forward policy on telecommunications masts as part of the new planning policy framework. We are due to consult on the framework in the summer.

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many officials of each grade in his Department have policy responsibility for dealing with anti-Semitism; what sources are available to them to obtain up-to-date information about anti-Semitism in the UK; what recent reports he has received from officials in his Department about levels of anti-Semitism; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: The Decentralisation and Big Society Directorate in the Department of Communities and Local Government is responsible for the formulation and, in partnership with other Departments, the implementation of policy on reducing the incidence of anti-Semitism. The Department's work on anti-Semitism falls under the auspices of the team that works on hate crime and includes two officials. The team have a number of sources available to them across Government and externally as appropriate and provides regular updates to Ministers.

Brighton Marina

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has received any recent representations on the provisions of the Brighton Marina Act 1968.

Bob Neill: My Department has received no written representations on provisions in relation to the Brighton Marina Act 1968, other than from my hon. Friend.

Housing Revenue Accounts

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has had discussions with local authorities on the future-ring fencing arrangements for the Housing Revenue Account following the introduction of self-financing.

Andrew Stunell: My Department has not had specific discussions with local authorities on this subject though it has been raised in general discussions on reforms to the Housing Revenue Account subsidy system. The ring-fence will continue after reform and 'Implementing self-financing for council housing', which we published on 1 February, advised that we do not intend to issue new guidance on its operation.
	Abolition of the subsidy system does not end the requirement for local authorities to maintain a statutory, ring-fenced Housing Revenue Account. They will still be required to account to their tenants for income and expenditure on council housing separately from other functions and services. This ensures that council taxpayers do not subsidise services specifically for the benefit of tenants and that rent is not used to subsidise functions which are for the benefit of the wider local community.

Housing: Construction

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on requiring the compulsory installation of sprinkler systems in all newly-built domestic properties.

Andrew Stunell: Provisions for fire protection in new buildings are made in Part B (Fire safety) of the Building Regulations. While there are some situations where sprinkler protection is required, this does not apply to all domestic properties.
	Following a review of these regulations last year, we have concluded that there is not any significant new evidence on the health and safety benefits of greater sprinkler provision that would alter the cost/benefit analysis and the basis of the current approach. Details of the findings of this review were published in December and are available on the Department's website at:
	www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/buildingregsnextsteps

Housing: Owner Occupation

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what plans he has for the future of  (a) commonhold and  (b) leasehold tenure;
	(2)  what plans he has for the future rights of domestic leaseholders.

Grant Shapps: My Department receives representations from a wide range of interests, including from freeholders (landlords) and leaseholders, about residential leasehold. Residential leasehold is a long-established way of owning property in England and Wales. We have no plans to abolish the leasehold system.
	The Government recognise however the need to strike the correct balance of rights and responsibilities between landlords and leaseholders. It is important that landlords and managing agents as well as other businesses operate in a socially responsible manner. As with all regulation, state intervention should be proportionate, seeking to raise standards where there is bad practice, and avoiding unnecessary burdens across the leasehold sector.
	In general, we believe that the current legislative framework can deliver that balance, if matched by an increasingly pro-active and positive approach by the professionals in the sector. I am, however, aware of some specific concerns, particularly in the retirement sector where there is an ongoing OFT investigation. We will, however, keep a close watching brief and will not rule out making changes in future if that proves necessary.
	Commonhold is a new tenure introduced in 2004. Issues concerning commonhold are a matter for the Ministry of Justice. The Government have no plans to alter the commonhold legislation and intend that commonhold will remain a voluntary alternative to long leasehold ownership for flats and other interdependent properties.

Housing: Regulation

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  if he will make it his policy to support an accreditation scheme to regulate the leasehold-managed accommodation sector;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulation of the leasehold-managed accommodation sector.

Grant Shapps: The Government recognise the need to strike the correct balance of rights and responsibilities between freeholders (landlords) and leaseholders. It is important that landlords and managing agents as well as other businesses operate in a socially responsible manner. As with all regulation, state intervention should be proportionate, seeking to raise standards where there is bad practice, and avoiding unnecessary burdens across the leasehold sector.
	My Department continues to receive representations from leaseholders and freeholders (landlords) on the broader issues of residential leasehold. Having considered the issue of regulation in the leasehold management sector, we believe that the current legislative framework can deliver that balance, if matched by an increasingly pro-active and positive approach by the professionals in the sector. We are therefore not convinced by the case for regulating managing agents in the leasehold sector but, whilst we have no immediate plans to make any changes, we will keep the matter under consideration.

Leasehold: Regulation

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will assess the merits of introducing a system of regulation of managing agents of leasehold properties.

Grant Shapps: The Government recognise the need to strike the correct balance of rights and responsibilities between freeholders (landlords) and leaseholders. It is important that landlords and managing agents as well as other businesses operate in a socially responsible manner. As with all regulation, state intervention should be proportionate, seeking to raise standards where there is bad practice, and avoiding unnecessary burdens across the leasehold sector.
	My Department continues to receive representations from leaseholders and freeholders (landlords) on the broader issues of residential leasehold. We have considered the issue of regulation in the leasehold management sector and believe that the current legislative framework can deliver that balance, if matched by an increasingly pro-active and positive approach by the professionals in the sector. We are therefore not convinced by the case for regulating managing agents in the leasehold sector but, while we have no immediate plans to make any changes, we will keep the matter under consideration.

Local Government: Pay

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward proposals to enable non-executive council members to limit the remuneration of local authority chief executives.

Bob Neill: The Government have brought forward measures in the Localism Bill to require locally elected councillors to have a greater say in the setting of senior pay. Under the proposals, councils will have to prepare, approve and publish a senior pay policy statement which will set the framework which they will be required to follow when setting senior pay locally. Such a statement must be considered by full council.
	In addition, the Secretary of State has signalled his intention to issue guidance under those provisions to set out the Government's view on a threshold at which remuneration decisions should be always brought before full council to vote on. The Secretary of State's view is that £100,000 is an appropriate threshold. This will be expressed in guidance to which councils must have regard. The guidance will be published in draft for consultation in due course.
	The Government's role in specific local government pay and workforce issues is extremely limited as they are, rightly, a matter for the individual councils as the employer. The Government are clear, however, that the measures set out above will greatly increase local democratic accountability over local authority pay matters.

Planning

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will assess the potential effects on economic growth of implementation of his plans for more localised decision-making by planning authorities.

Greg Clark: Giving people power and control and delivering economic growth are complementary objectives. By removing the antagonism created by imposed regional housing targets, and through powerful incentives, including the New Homes Bonus, the planning system will support the delivery of new homes and economic growth. In addition, the Duty to Cooperate will ensure that local authorities and other public bodies maximise the effectiveness of working on strategic planning issues such as economic growth.

Private Rented Housing: Regulation

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans his Department has to introduce greater regulation of the activities of private landlords.

Andrew Stunell: It is important to ensure that the right balance is achieved between providing protections for tenants and discouraging existing and potential landlords from renting out their properties. The Government believe that the current regulatory framework delivers that balance and has no plans to introduce greater regulation into the sector. Overburdening private landlords with regulation would risk deterring property owners from letting their properties, potentially reducing choice and/or increasing rents. That would help no one whether they are a tenant or a landlord.

Solar Power: Planning Permission

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning applications for solar farms have been made in Oxford West and Abingdon constituency in each of the last five years; and what the size of the proposed solar farms was in each case.

Bob Neill: Information on planning applications for solar farms will be available from individual local planning authorities but is not collected by this Department. The Renewable Energy Planning Database, accessible via the Department for Energy and Climate Change's website, includes data on solar photovoltaic projects but the statistics do not include all live planning applications because of the time lag in collecting data.

Standards Board for England

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to replace the responsibilities undertaken by  (a) the Standards Board for England and  (b) local standards committees; who will be responsible for future disciplinary processes involving local authorities; and how such processes will be funded.

Bob Neill: The Standards Board regime fuelled petty complaints and malicious vendettas, wasting taxpayers' money and harming local democracy.
	The Localism Bill places a duty on councils to promote and maintain high standards of conduct, under which it will be their responsibility to take and fund such measures, including establishing any appropriate disciplinary processes, that they see fit to fulfil this duty.
	And as a guard against corruption, the Bill also provides that a member will commit a criminal-offence if he or she, without reasonable excuse, fails to register or disclose an interest, or takes part in council business having personal interests which prohibit this.

Voluntary Organisations: Playing Fields

Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to assist local organisations to establish Queen Elizabeth II fields.

Hugh Robertson: I have been asked to reply.
	Through the London 2012 Olympic Legacy programme, Places People Play, Sport England has entered into a partnership with Fields in Trust (FIT) and will be supporting the protection of playing fields as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields initiative.

WALES

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether she has had discussions with the First Minister on steps to combat anti-Semitism in Wales since May 2010; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: Neither I nor the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan) has discussed the issue of anti-Semitism in Wales with the First Minister.
	While the Wales Office has not been approached directly, the coalition Government regularly receive representations from hon. and right hon. Members, representative organisations and members of the public about anti-Semitism. The coalition Government also receive regular updates from the Community Security Trust on incidents of anti-Semitism and, through the cross-Government working group to tackle anti-Semitism, meets representatives of the Community Security Trust, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council on a quarterly basis. The coalition Government's approach to tackling anti-Semitism across the United Kingdom can be found in the "Three Years on Progress Report" which can be found at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/antisemitismresponse

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Charities

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much the House of Commons Service gave to each charity it funds in each of the last five years; and how much it plans to allocate in funding to each such charity in each of the next five years.

John Thurso: The House of Commons Commission does not generally fund charitable activities. There are some instances though where services are delivered through organisations which are registered charities. The Commons share of parliamentary support has been:
	(a) Grant in aid:
	
		
			  £000 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 History of Parliament Trust (HPT) 1,300 1,320 1,408 1,179 1,061 
			 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association: UK Branch (CPA)(1) n/a n/a 1,324 1,364 1,023 
			 (1) The CPA was funded by HM Treasury prior to 2008-09. 
		
	
	(b) Work commissioned:
	
		
			   Hansard Society Ltd (£000) 
			 2006-07 (1)- 
			 2007-08 89 
			 2008-09 117 
			 2009-10 129 
			 2010-11 to date 140 
			 (1) Not available 
		
	
	Some charitable bodies also receive income indirectly from the House of Commons. These include The Speaker's Art Fund which receives a proportion of the surplus income generated from the sale of souvenirs, and The House of Commons Heritage and Works of Art Trust which receives income derived from filming rights.
	Grant in aid payments in future years will be fixed annually, after taking account of existing sources of income and agreed levels of activity.

Location

Nick Brown: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the location is of each unit of accommodation on the House of Commons part of the Parliamentary Estate which is adapted for overnight sleeping.

John Thurso: Overnight sleeping accommodation on the Commons part of the parliamentary estate is located at 1, 2 and 3 Parliament street, 2a, 2b and 4 Canon Row and at Speaker's House and in the Ways and Means Corridor in the Palace of Westminster.

Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what arrangements are in place in the House of Commons Service to  (a) reduce levels of work-based stress and  (b) provide assistance to staff diagnosed with such stress.

John Thurso: Staff who have a mental health issue can self-refer or be referred by their manager to the Parliamentary Safety, Health and Wellbeing Service, whose focus is on facilitating physical and mental health by promoting healthy behaviour, and by providing training, a good physical working environment and support for employees with mental health problems. Services available to House staff who may be experiencing stress include access to welfare officers for counselling, and referral to the in-house occupational health physician or psychiatrist. Training on coping with pressure and mental health awareness are available, as are self-help courses such as postural and relaxation classes and yoga. Information is available about external support such as from MIND and Rethink. There were 17 referrals to the service in 2009-10.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Manpower

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many full-time equivalent staff employed by the Cabinet Office work on the administration of the electoral system.

Mark Harper: The Elections and Democracy Division in the Cabinet Office is responsible for policy and legislation on the conduct of UK-wide statutory elections and referendums and for local elections in England and Wales, including electoral registration and the franchise; law and policy on the setting of parliamentary boundaries (including sponsorship of the Parliamentary Boundary Commissions for England and Wales); and law and policy on the financing of political parties and candidates. In addition, the Electoral Registration Transformation Programme, established following the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009, is tasked with delivering the transition to individual electoral registration.
	There are the equivalent of 25 full-time staff in the Elections and Democracy Division, and 15 in the Electoral Registration Transformation Programme.

Electoral Register

David Crausby: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to  (a) encourage and  (b) increase levels of electoral registration in Great Britain.

Mark Harper: Maintaining a complete and accurate electoral register is the responsibility of electoral registration officers (EROs) in accordance with their duties under section 9A of the Representation of the People Act 1983. EROs are appointed by, but independent of, local authorities. In carrying out this responsibility, as with other aspects of their role, EROs are monitored by the Electoral Commission, which sets performance standards and provides guidance on the performance of their duties.
	In addition, the Electoral Commission runs campaigns to encourage voter registration and provide information on elections as part of its duty under section 13 (1) (a) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
	The Government have announced their plans to speed up the implementation of Individual Electoral Registration in 2014 and is committed to looking at how we can use this opportunity to improve electoral registration. This year we are trialling data matching-comparing the electoral register with other public databases to identify people missing from the register. If successful, we will consider roiling this out across the country.

Fixed-term Parliaments Bill

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on the provisions of the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill.

Mark Harper: The Government are committed to working constructively with all of the devolved Administrations. The Minister of State for Northern Ireland, the right hon. Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) wrote to party leaders in Northern Ireland on this issue last year following which the Government concluded that it would be better to await the outcome of the combined polls scheduled for May 2011 before taking a decision on whether special provision would be needed for Northern Ireland to deal with the coincidence of elections in 2015.

Voting

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received on reform of  (a) postal and  (b) proxy voting; and what plans he has to bring forward proposals for such reform.

Mark Harper: The Government have received representations from the Electoral Commission (EC), Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) and Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) for changes to be made to some of the existing postal and proxy voting processes. For example, both the EC and AEA have asked the Government to consider extending the current emergency proxy arrangements to include other 'emergencies' or circumstances that might prevent an elector from voting in person.
	We have also received a range of correspondence on the existing absent voting arrangements. This has included requests both for greater restrictions to be placed on postal and proxy voting and for all-postal ballots to be used for the referendum on the voting system and other statutory polls.
	The Government will consider these issues after the referendum on the voting system for the House of Commons, alongside the changes to the electoral process required to implement individual elector registration.

Voting Rights: Prisoners

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what decisions were reached at the 1108th meeting of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers relating the UK and prisoner voting; if he will publish all documents sent to the Council of Europe from the Government in relation to this matter; who represented the UK Government at this meeting; when he expects the UK's position on prisoner votes next to be discussed by the Committee of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Harper: The Committee of Ministers publishes on their website the decisions reached at each of their meetings and copies of any documents submitted by member states' governments. The relevant decision and documents for the 1108th meeting can be found at:
	https://wcd.coe.int/wcd/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1718797&Site =CM&BackColorInternet=C3C3C3&BackColor Intranet=EDB021& BackColorLogged=F5D383
	The Government are represented at meetings of the Committee of Ministers by the United Kingdom Delegation to the Council of Europe.
	The Committee of Ministers decided to resume consideration of prisoner voting rights in the UK once the Government's request to refer the recent judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the "Greens and MT" case to the Grand Chamber of the Court has been considered.

Voting Rights: Prisoners

Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has notified the Council of Europe of the outcome of Division No. 199 on 10 February 2011,  Official Report, columns 584-6; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Harper: The Government notified the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers of the outcome of the recent backbench debate on prisoner voting rights in an Information Note provided ahead of the 1108th meeting. The Information Note is available on the Committee of Ministers' website at:
	https://wcd.coe.int/wcd/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1753877&Site= CM&BackColorInternet=C3C3C3&BackColorIntranet=EDB021& BackColorLogged=F5D383

CABINET OFFICE

Absent Voting

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to bring forward legislation to facilitate the reform of the postal voting system for local, national and European elections; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Harper: The Government will consider these issues after the referendum on the voting system for the House of Commons, alongside the changes to the electoral process required to implement individual elector registration.

Alcoholic Drinks

Luciana Berger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department has spent on the contents of ministerial drinks cabinets since 12 May 2010.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office does not have ministerial drinks cabinets.
	All Cabinet Office expenditure on official hospitality including alcohol is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on "Regularity & Propriety".

Big Society Initiative

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many meetings on the Big Society with  (a) hon. Members and  (b) representatives of the voluntary sector organised by his Department have been held on the parliamentary estate since May 2010.

Nick Hurd: Both I and my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office have held regular meetings with representatives of the voluntary sector on the subject of the Big Society since May 2010. These meetings are held in a variety of locations within Whitehall, the parliamentary estate and on the premises of external organisations.
	Ministers' meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis; details can be accessed at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-external-organisations

Boarding Schools

Frank Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether his Department provides financial assistance to his officials for boarding school fees for their children.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office does not provide financial assistance to officials for boarding school fees.

Census

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will request the Office for National Statistics to publish its contract with Lockheed Martin UK in respect of the 2011 census.

Francis Maude: Considerable information on the census contract with Lockheed Martin has already been published by the Office for National Statistics. This includes the list of subcontractors involved and the additional contractual constraints to ensure data security, confidentiality of census information and to guarantee that the United States Patriot Act could not be used to gain access to personal census data. The contract contains commercially sensitive and confidential information and so would not be appropriate for publication.

Census

Lady Hermon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which companies were shortlisted to carry out the 2011 Census; what criteria were used during the selection process; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking (i) which companies were shortlisted to carry out the 2011 Census; and (ii) what criteria were used during the selection process. (47804)
	(i) I should firstly like to clarify that it is ONS, as the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority which is carrying out the 2011 Census in England and Wales.
	As was the case with the 2001 Census, there are some parts of the census operation which have been contracted out to a number of companies. During the procurement many suppliers were shortlisted and over 30 were awarded contracts. The main contracts were awarded to the following suppliers:-
	Capita Business Services for field staff recruitment, training and payment administration;
	Royal Mail for postal delivery and collection services;
	Lockheed Martin UK for management of operational services; and
	3M for the provision of supplies to field staff and requests for materials from the field staff and the public
	(ii) With over 35 contracts awarded there were a variety of evaluation criterion used for each. In general there were 6 main over-arching evaluation criteria that were used to determine the chosen suppliers. They were:-
	compliance with mandatory requirements i.e. all requirements listed in the statement of requirements marked as mandatory
	understanding of the business needs
	technical capability of the proposed solution
	legal/contractual assessment
	risks, and
	value for money

Census

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which companies were considered to undertake data processing for the 2011 census prior to the award of the contract.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking which companies were considered to undertake data processing for the 2011 Census prior to the award of the contract (48387).
	Data processing is a part of the contract to provide operational services for the 2011 Census. A number of expressions of interest were received with BT, CMC Limited, Lockheed Martin UK Limited and T-Systems Limited passing pre-qualification. Subsequently Lockheed Martin UK provided the best technical solutions offering overall best value for money for the taxpayer.
	Under the Lockheed Martin UK contract, data processing services have been subcontracted to UK Data Capture which is running the data processing operation at a specially commissioned site in Manchester.
	ONS carried out a fully compliant procurement in accordance with the requirements of European law and the European Union Procurement Directives, which have been incorporated into English law. The foundations of the rules are fairness and transparency. Any organisation with the correct technical capability, financial stability and experience therefore has the opportunity to compete openly for Government business throughout the European Union without discrimination.

Charities

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the rate of  (a) registration and  (b) closure of charities was in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. I have asked the Commission to reply.
	 Letter from Sam Younger, dated 22 March 2011:
	.
	The number of newly registered charities in each of the years for which figures are available is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2005-06 5,153 
			 2006-07 5,081 
			 2007-08 4,953 
			 2008-09 5,410 
			 2009-10 6,261 
		
	
	The number of charities that ceased to operate in each of the years for which figures are available is shown in the table below:
	
		
			  Reason for removal  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  Total 
			 Charity ceased to exist or operate in its current form due to a merger, adoption of incorporated status or transfer of funds to another charity, or charities 1,592 1,725 1,436 1,584 1,647 7,984 
			 Charities identified as dormant and removed from the Register 3,344 2,691 3,270 5,182 8,760 23,247 
			 Total 4,936 4,416 4,706 6,766 10,407 31,231 
		
	
	Between 2008/09 and 2009/10, there was an increase in the number of charities removed because they were identified as dormant or for other reasons. This was due to our strategy of maintaining a more accurate Register of Charities by proactively removing those which had ceased to exist.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Charities

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many registered charities ceased operation in each of the last five years; and what his policy is on monitoring the rate of such closures in the next five years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. I have asked the commission to reply.
	 Letter from Sam Younger, dated 22 March 2011:
	As the Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, I have been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question, how many registered charities ceased operation in each of the last five years; and what his policy is on monitoring the rate of such closures in the next five years.
	The number of charities that ceased to operate in each of the years for which figures are available is shown in the table below:
	
		
			  Reason for removal  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  Total 
			 Charity ceased to exist or operate in its current form due to a merger, adoption of incorporated status or transfer of funds to another charity, or charities. 1,592 1,725 1,436 1,584 1,647 7,984 
			 Charities identified as dormant and removed from the register 3,344 2,691 3,270 5,182 8,760 23,247 
			 Total 4,936 4,416 4,706 6,766 10,407 31,231 
		
	
	Between 2008/09 and 2009/10, there was an increase in the number of charities removed because they were identified as dormant or for other reasons. This was due to our strategy of maintaining a more accurate Register of Charities by proactively removing those that had ceased to exist.
	The Charity Commission continues to fulfil its statutory duty to maintain an accurate and up-to-date Register of Charities.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Departmental Local Government Finance

Clive Betts: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much each local authority received from each  (a) revenue and  (b) capital funding stream from his Department in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how much funding his Department allocated from each such stream in each year; and what the change was in the level of funding in each such stream between those years in (A) cash and (B) real terms.

Francis Maude: Figures for 2010-11 will be available when the Cabinet Office accounts have been audited, and will be published as part of the 2010-11 Cabinet Office Resource Accounts.
	It is not possible to provide details of the funding for 2011-12 because the Cabinet Office has not yet finalised unit budgets for 2011-12.

Departmental Plants

Luciana Berger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department has spent on indoor and outdoor plants and trees since his appointment.

Francis Maude: The cost of providing indoor and outdoor plants and trees forms part of the Total Facilities Management (FM) contract which the Cabinet Office has with its FM provider, EcovertFM. Within the contract, there are separate charges for 'soft landscaping' and expenditure on indoor and outdoor plants and trees would be included in that category, and only be available at disproportionate cost. However, the amount spent on soft landscaping is less than 1% of the total FM contract, and the provision in the contract for indoor plants was cancelled in the summer of 2009.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Main Honours Advisory Committee.

Francis Maude: Over the spending review period, no savings would accrue from the abolition of the Main Honours Advisory Committee as the functions of the Committee are administered from within the Cabinet Office.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Government Strategic Marketing Advisory Board.

Francis Maude: Over the spending review period I anticipate the level of net overall administrative savings to accrue from the structural reform of the Government Strategic Marketing Advisory Body to be £0.02 million.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Commission for the Compact.

Francis Maude: Over the spending review period I anticipate the level of net overall administrative savings to accrue from the structural reform of the Commission for the Compact to be £0.26 million.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of Capacitybuilders.

Francis Maude: Over the spending review period I anticipate the level of net overall administrative savings to accrue from the structural reform of Capacitybuilders to be £2.1 million.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Security Commission.

Francis Maude: Over the spending review period I anticipate the level of net overall administrative savings to accrue from the structural reform of the Security Commission to be £4,000.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Office for Civil Society Advisory Body.

Francis Maude: Over the spending review period I anticipate the level of net overall administrative savings to accrue from the structural reform of the Office for Civil Society Advisory Body to be £0.04 million.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the National School of Government.

Francis Maude: Over the spending review period I anticipate the level of net overall administrative savings to accrue from current plans for the reform of the National School of Government to be £5.4 million.

Emergencies

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on increasing liaison between blue-light services for the purposes of improving response to civil contingency emergencies; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: In approving the Strategic Defence and Security Review published in October last year(1) and subsequently, the National Security Council has endorsed the importance of improving cooperation between the blue light services as a means of enhancing arrangements for emergency response and crisis management. Cabinet Office officials are involved in discussions on a number of programmes to enhance cooperation, including making best use of the Airwave radio network and other means of communication to enhance information sharing in a crisis, and the development of tactics for joint operation of the police, fire and ambulance forces and other emergency responders.
	Cross Government ministerial oversight of this work at a national level is provided through the National Security Council and its sub-committees.
	(1 )www.direct.gov.uk/sdsr

Government Departments: Recruitment

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many civil servants have been recruited during the period of the Civil Service recruitment freeze.

Francis Maude: holding answer 24 March 2011
	The latest period for which data is available indicates that civil service recruitment has fallen by around 80% compared to the same period in 2009. Between 24 May 2010 to 31 December 2010, the total number of civil servants recruited was 4,535, as measured by the number of exceptions to the recruitment freeze approved by Departments (out of a total headcount of 482,000, excluding the Scottish and Welsh Assembly Governments). For the same period in 2009, a total of around 27,000 people were recruited into the civil service.

Life Expectancy: Wolverhampton

Pat McFadden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average life expectancy was for  (a) men and  (b) women in Wolverhampton South East constituency in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the average life expectancy was for (a) men and (b) women in Wolverhampton South East constituency in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available (48887).
	Life expectancy figures at parliamentary constituency level are not readily available. However, figures are available for Wolverhampton metropolitan district which contains Wolverhampton South East constituency.
	Life expectancy figures are calculated as three year rolling averages. Table 1 provides the period life expectancy at birth for (a) males and (b) females for (i) 1996-98 and (ii) 2007-09 (the latest figures available).
	Period life expectancies at birth for (a) males and (b) females for all local authority districts and unitary authorities in England and Wales, for rolling three-year periods from 1991-93 to 2007-09, are published on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=8841
	
		
			  Table 1: Period life expectancy at birth( 1) , Wolverhampton metropolitan district( 2) ,1996-98 and 2007-09( 3) 
			  Years of life 
			   Males  Females 
			 1996-98 74 79 
			 2007-09 76 81 
			 (1) Period life expectancy at birth is an estimate of the average number of years a newborn baby would survive if he or she experienced the area's age-specific mortality rates for that time period throughout his or her life. The figure reflects mortality among those living in the area in each time period, rather than mortality among those born in each area. It is not therefore the number of years a baby born in the area in each time period could actually expect to live, both because the death rates of the area are likely to change in the future and because many of those born in the area will live elsewhere for at least some part of their lives. (2) Using boundaries as of 2010 for all the years shown. (3) Three year rolling averages, based on deaths registered in each year and mid-year population estimates.

Mutual Societies

Chris Evans: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  when his Department plans to issue the invitation to tender for the Mutual Support Programme;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the likely number of bidders to operate the Mutual Support Programme;
	(3)  whether he plans to release funding in addition to the initial proposed expenditure on the Mutual Support Programme;
	(4)  what role he expects the Mutual Support Programme to play in supporting mutual pathfinders;
	(5)  what proportion of callers to the Mutual Information Service were from  (a) public and  (b) private sector bodies in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The Prime Minister has recently appointed Julian Le Grand to chair a Mutuals Taskforce. The Taskforce will drive forward the development of mutuals and is currently considering a variety of options.
	The Mutuals Support Programme is currently being considered. The potential provider market (i.e. likely number of bidders) will be reviewed in this process.
	The link between the Mutuals Support Programme and the Pathfinder programme will be clarified when a decision is made.
	There are currently no plans to release funding in addition to the initial proposed expenditure on the Mutual Support Programme.
	Between 17 November 2010 and 31 January 2011, the Mutuals Information Service received 91% of inquires from public sector employees and 9% from support providers and mentors. Please note information on the nature (i.e. public sector or private sector) of the support providers and mentors are not available.

Mutual Societies

Chris Evans: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office by what date he expects the Mutual Support Programme tender process to be completed.

Nick Hurd: Options for the Mutuals Support Programme are currently being considered. Further information will be available shortly.
	Significant work is currently being undertaken to develop the Right to Provide across public services areas and to address cross cutting barriers to the take up of this Right.

Office for Civil Society: Community Matters

Andrew Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has for the future of Community Matters in the Office for Civil Society strategic partners programme.

Nick Hurd: Community Matters submitted an application to the Office for Civil Society (OCS) Strategic Partners Transition programme but was not successful.
	The focus of the programme is on providing representation and 'voice' for the VCSE sector to feed into Government. As a smaller, more focussed programme than the previous OCS Strategic Partners programme, this was a highly competitive process.
	There will be opportunities to build strong relationships with Government whether or not funded through this programme and I expect OCS to continue to have a good relationship with Community Matters in the future.

Parental Responsibility

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of children in  (a) each region of England,  (b) Scotland,  (c) Wales and  (d) Northern Ireland are in families where one parent is not the child's natural parent.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your request to ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of children in (a) each region of England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland are in families where one parent is not the child's natural parent. (48251)
	The 2001 Census provides the most comprehensive estimate of the number of dependent step-children. It is not possible to readily identify dependent step-children from more recent sources. Dependent children are those living with their parent(s) and either (a) aged under 16, or (b) aged 16 to 18 in full-time education, excluding children aged 16 to 18 who have a spouse, partner or child living in the household. A child will be defined as a step-child in the Census if the person completing the Census form ticks 'step-child' as the relationship between that child and an adult in the household, in most cases this adult would be married to, or cohabiting with one of the child's natural parents.
	Table 1 shows the number of dependent step-children as a percentage of all dependent children living in households in 2001.
	
		
			  Table 1: Percentage of dependent children living in households that are step-children, 2001 
			  English region / UK country  Percentage 
			 North East 5 
			 North West 5 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 6 
			 East Midlands 6 
			 West Midlands 5 
			 East 5 
			 London 3 
			 South East 5 
			 South West 6 
			 Wales 5 
			 Scotland 4 
			 Northern Ireland 2

Unemployment: Sevenoaks

Michael Fallon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people aged 16 to 24 years were out of work for more than 12 months in Sevenoaks constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people aged 16-24 years were out of work for more than 12 months in Sevenoaks constituency in the latest period for which figures are available. (49249)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. However, due to sample size estimates of unemployment for the requested duration and geography are not available. As an alternative we have provided the number of persons claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for the Sevenoaks constituency.
	There were 15 people aged 16-24 resident in Sevenoaks constituency in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance for over 12 months in February 2011.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Voluntary Work: Young People

Iain Wright: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has for future funding of  (a) the vinvolved team Tees Valley,  (b) Hartlepool Voluntary Development Agency and  (c) youth volunteering nationally.

Nick Hurd: Funding for the vinvolved programme comes to an end on 31 March 2011.
	New measures to support volunteering were announced in the recent "Giving Green Paper". New funding streams will provide vital support to both volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations alike.
	We are providing support to young people to become involved in volunteering through National Citizen Service. The pilot delivery areas for NCS have been announced and further details can be found on Directgov webpages at:
	http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Workandcareers/Workexperienceandvolunteering/NationalCitizenService/DG_WP194525

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council England: Finance

Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding the 20 largest regularly-funded organisations received from Arts Council England in 2009-10.

Edward Vaizey: Arts Council England has supplied the following table showing the 20 largest regularly funded organisations that received funding in 2009-10:
	
		
			   Organisation  2009-10 (£) 
			 1 Royal Opera House 27,689,378 
			 2 Southbank Centre Limited 20,257,441 
			 3 Royal National Theatre 19,220,748 
			 4 English National Opera Ltd 17,951,274 
			 5 Royal Shakespeare Company 15,589,527 
			 6 Opera North 9,654,778 
			 7 Birmingham Royal Ballet 7,987,146 
			 8 English National Ballet 6,714,474 
			 9 Welsh National Opera Ltd 6,616,525 
			 10 Arts and Business Ltd 4,000,000 
			 11 North Music Trust 3,700,184 
			 12 Crafts Council 2,808,584 
			 13 Northern Ballet Theatre 2,765,183 
			 14 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra 2,669,944 
			 15 Royal Exchange Theatre 2,437,162 
			 16 Sadler's Wells Trust Ltd 2,375,916 
			 17 London Symphony Orchestra 2,305,427 
			 18 City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra 2,279,289 
			 19 English Stage Company Ltd 2,248,747 
			 20 Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts 2,222,644 
			 Total - 161,494,371

Arts Council England: Finance

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding Arts Council England allocated per head of population in the London borough of Bexley in the last period for which figures are available.

Edward Vaizey: Arts Council England estimates spend at £0.38 per head in the London borough of Bexley, from £33,440 in grants for the arts awards in 2009-10.
	Additionally, a number of organisations funded by the Arts Council tour their work in the constituency, though their funding is not represented in the figure above.

Arts: Public Expenditure

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the change in the level of funds received by  (a) arts,  (b) sport and  (c) heritage causes as a result of the implementation of his planned changes to the distribution of National Lottery funds over the comprehensive spending review period.

Jeremy Hunt: The first phase of the Lottery Share change takes effect on 1 April 2011, when the shares for arts, heritage and sport will increase from the current 16.66% of new income each to 18%. This should mean that there will be approximately £20 million of additional income for each of the arts, sports and heritage good causes for that year.
	In April 2012 the arts, heritage and sport shares will increase to 20%, meaning that they should all each receive about £50 million a year as shown in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Arts  Heritage  Sport 
			 2011-12 19.64 19.64 19.64 
			 2012-13 51.0 51.0 51.0 
			 2013-14 52.8 52.8 52.8 
		
	
	These figures are based on the latest (September 2010) lottery income projections and are not guaranteed.

Big Lottery Fund

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what data his Department collects in respect of the geographic diversity of Big Lottery Fund applicants.

John Penrose: The Department does not collect any data relating to applications received by the Big Lottery Fund or any other Lottery distributing body. The Lottery distributors make their funding decisions independently of the Department and Government and against their own published criteria for Lottery funding programmes and projects.

British Film Industry

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the contribution of the commercial production sector to the British film industry.

Edward Vaizey: The Government have not made a recent assessment of the contribution of the commercial production sector to the British Film Industry. However, as the Executive body for film in the UK, the UK Film Council has assessed the contribution of inward investment feature films to the UK economy as being £752.7 million in 2009.

British Sky Broadcasting

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has received notification of any proposed application for judicial review of his decision not to refer the proposed News Corporation acquisition of BSkyB to the Competition Commission.

Jeremy Hunt: I have not yet made a final decision on whether or not to refer the proposed News Corporation acquisition of BSkyB to the Competition Commission. I am currently considering the responses to the consultation on the Undertakings offered by News Corporation which closed on 21 March, and will make a statement in due course. At this stage, I have received no such notification.

Broadband

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will estimate the likely extent of broadband coverage in the UK in each of the next 10 years.

Edward Vaizey: The coalition Government are committed to facilitate universal broadband access of at least 2Mbps and achieve the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015; £530 million has been allocated by the Government to support these efforts.

Charities

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department provided to each charity it funds in each of the last five years; and how much he has allocated for funding to each such charity in each of the next five years.

John Penrose: The Department provides regular funding to its arm's length bodies registered as charities or exempt charities through grant in aid and strategic commissioning.
	Payments made to these bodies in financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11 and funding allocated to these bodies for the next four years are set out in the table.
	
		
			  £000 
			   Funding allocated  Plans 
			   2009-10  2010-11  2011-12  2012-13  2013-14  2014-15 
			  NDPB's with exempt charity status   
			 British Library 109,464 106,308 107,473 96,286 93,544 90,076 
			 British Museum 48,348 50,343 53,664 44,016 43,393 43,267 
			 Imperial War Museum 24,163 23,910 21,706 21,436 21,239 21,273 
			 National Gallery 27,287 28,201 26,744 26,320 25,980 25,911 
			 National Maritime Museum 19,240 19,002 17,058 16,848 16,693 16,723 
			 National Museum of Science and Industry 40,608 40,153 37,582 37,026 36,602 36,596 
			 National Museums Liverpool 23,463 23,712 21,875 21,561 21,323 21,327 
			 National Portrait Gallery 7,744 7,577 7,398 7,277 7,183 7,172 
			 Natural History Museum 51,186 48,586 46,482 45,760 45,204 45,172 
			 Tate Gallery 55,987 55,429 34,605 34,912 34,837 33,441 
			 The Royal Armouries 8,474 8,645 7,901 7,773 7,673 7,662 
			 Victoria and Albert Museum 44,761 44,318 41,355 40,705 40,203 40,167 
			 Wallace Collection 4,301 4,212 2,983 2,946 2,918 2,922 
			
			  Registered charities   
			 Arts Council England 451,964 448,751 387,728 359,179 351,620 349,393 
			 Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust 850 291 278 268 260 256 
			 Churches Conservation Trust 3,162 3,005 2,926 2,828 2,743 2,695 
			 Design Museum 425 424 328 257 202 163 
			 Geffrye Museum 1,791 1,773 1,674 1,645 1,621 1,616 
			 Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College 1,500 1,455 1,388 1,342 1,301 1,278 
			 Horniman Museum 4,566 4,518 4,275 4,199 4,139 4,127 
			 Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester 4,987 5,612 3,998 3,927 3,871 3,860 
			 Museums, Libraries and Archives Council 4,015 15,004 6,526 3,271 3,354 3,441 
			 National Film and Television School 3059 3,038 2,904 2,857 2,822 2,819 
			 National Football Museum 105 101 - - - - 
			 National Foundation for Youth Music 333 322 - - - - 
			 Media Trust 334 323 - - - - 
			 Sir John Soane's Museum 1,181 1,169 1,130 1,111 1,096 1,094 
		
	
	The figures allocated to these bodies for the next four years are fixed. Funding after 2014-15 has not yet been determined.
	Payments made to these bodies in financial years 2006-07 to 2008-09 can be found in the Department's published resource accounts at the following link:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/about_us/our_annual_report/6253.aspx
	Data exclude one-off grants under grant programmes for which both charitable and non-charitable bodies are eligible.

Copyright

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what account he took of the requirements of the Authorisation Directive before laying before Parliament the Online Infringement of Copyright (Initial Obligations) (Sharing of Cost) Order 2011.

Edward Vaizey: The Government took care to ensure that the statutory instrument properly complied with all relevant legislation, both European and domestic, before it was laid. There has been an exchange of correspondence with the European Commission on how the instrument sits with the Authorisation Directive, and we remain confident that full account has been taken of the UK's obligations under the directive.

Departmental Domestic Visits

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many events and visits outside London  (a) he and  (b) each Minister in his Department has undertaken in an official capacity in each region since his appointment.

Jeremy Hunt: holding answer 24 March 2011
	The number of events and visits in regions outside of London each Minister and I have taken in an official capacity can be found in the following table.
	
		
			   Secretary of State  Minister for Sports and Olympics  Minister for Tourism and Heritage  Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries 
			 East Midlands 1 2 - 2 
			 East of England 2 2 3 1 
			 North East England 1 - - - 
			 North West England 1 2 3 3 
			 South East England 2 4 7 1 
			 South West England 2 - 4 - 
			 West Midlands 3 1 2 1 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 1 3 3 1

Departmental Public Appointments

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what non-executive appointments he has made to his Department's board since May 2010; and what the selection process was for each such appointment.

Jeremy Hunt: I have made the following non-executive appointments to the Departmental Board since May: David Verey (the lead non-Executive) and Peter Bazalgette. Lord Coe is invited to attend DCMS Board meetings in his position as Chair of LOCOG.
	David Verey was appointed following a cross-Whitehall exercise run by Lord Browne's team in Cabinet Office.
	Peter Bazalgette was appointed in January 2011 by me, following an open process (job advert, shortlist and interview) run by DCMS.
	Dr Tracy Long continues her appointment as a Non-Executive member; she was appointed in September 2009 following an open process run by DCMS.

Film

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the contribution to the economy of the filmed commercial production sector.

Edward Vaizey: The closest assessment we have related to this question comes from the Oxford Economics 2010 report, which states that overall, the core UK film industry contributed over £4.5 billion to UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009, taking into account its multiplier impacts, and over £1.2 billion to the Exchequer (gross of tax relief and other fiscal support).

Olympic Delivery Authority: Enforcement Officers

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many enforcement officers have been designated by the Olympic Delivery Authority in each of the last four years; what his estimate is of the number to be so designated; and if he will make a statement.

Hugh Robertson: holding answer 23 March 2011
	To date no enforcement officers have been designated by the Olympic Delivery Authority to enforce the advertising and trading regulations. The requirements are still being determined as the detailed planning continues to take place.

Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what arrangements are in place in his Department to  (a) reduce levels of work-based stress and  (b) provide assistance to staff diagnosed with such stress.

John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recognises workplace stress as a health and safety issue and acknowledges the importance of identifying and reducing workplace stressors. The Department has a stress management policy in place which aims to ensure that all our staff and managers are provided with guidance on managing stress effectively. To support this policy, the Department also has an employee assistance programme which provides 24 hour telephone support and face to face counselling. In addition we also have an Occupational Health Provider that provides support and advice to the Department and staff on all health matters, including stress.

Television

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to announce the preferred candidate to provide the new national spine for local television.

Jeremy Hunt: In response to the Local Media Action Plan Consultation which closes on 13 April 2011, over 20 expressions of interest to run a new network channel to support local services have been received. We are currently considering all responses to the Local Media Action Plan to help inform the final model for local TV. The formal award process is expected to begin this summer, supported by the necessary legislative changes.

Theft

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what items with a value of over £100 have been taken without authorisation from his Department since his appointment; and what steps have been taken to recover such items.

John Penrose: The following items, with a value of over £100 and owned by the Department, have been taken without authorisation:
	1 x Mobile Phone
	2 x BlackBerry
	All these items were reported stolen by members of staff, who were asked to report the theft to police in line with departmental policy.
	All lost or stolen mobile phones or BlackBerry devices are disabled remotely.

Tourism: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess the potential effect of the proposals in the Government Tourism Policy on  (a) the London borough of Bexley and  (b) Greater London.

John Penrose: Over the next four years we are aiming to attract four million extra visitors to Britain adding £2 billion additional expenditure and create 50,000 jobs through the new £100 million overseas tourism marketing fund.
	In measurable terms we should increase the proportion of UK residents who holiday in the UK to match those who holiday abroad each year. For longer stays (four nights or more) this would mean 29% of travellers holidaying in Britain rather than just 20% today (creating 4.5 million extra domestic trips each year, £1.3 billion more spend and 26,000 new jobs). And if we can replicate this scale of improvement for shorter stays as well, we will create a further £750 million of spend and 11,000 new jobs.
	I'm afraid we have not done a breakdown of these figures for the London borough of Bexley and Greater London.

Video Recordings

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he expects to announce his Department's consultation on amending the exemptions from regulation under Section 2 of the Video Recordings Act 1984.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport expects to make an announcement on the consultation by the summer.

SCOTLAND

HM Coastguard

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met with the Secretary of State for Transport to discuss the potential effects in Scotland of the outcome of the consultation on the future of HM Coastguard.

Michael Moore: I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on a range of issues that affect Scotland. We will continue to maintain contact to ensure implications of the proposed reforms to HM Coastguard for Scotland are fully considered before any final decisions are taken.

HM Coastguard

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has met representatives of  (a) the Shetland Islands and  (b) Stornoway to discuss the Government's consultation on the future of HM Coastguard.

Michael Moore: I held telephone calls with representatives of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Shetland Islands Council in February 2011 to discuss the Government's consultation on the modernisation of HM Coastguard. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland also met representatives of the Shetland Islands and Stornoway on 16 March 2011. The consultation period has been extended by six weeks until 5 May 2011 and contact with interested parties will be maintained to ensure that implications for Scotland are captured fully.

Members

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which hon. Members are included in his classification of  (a) Scottish MPs and  (b) hon. Members with an interest in Scottish affairs in correspondence sent to hon. Members by his office.

David Mundell: Scottish MPs for this purpose are MPs with a Scottish constituency. Hon. Members with an interest in Scottish affairs for this purpose are members of the Scottish Affairs Committee with constituencies outwith Scotland and MPs who have otherwise intimated a specific interest in Scotland.

Natural Gas

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he plans to have with representatives of  (a) Scottish Gas,  (b) Scottish Power and  (c) Scottish and Southern Energy following the publication of Ofgem's review of competition in the energy sector.

Michael Moore: I have met these companies as well as other generators to discuss a variety of issues and will continue to do so.

Public Expenditure

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with  (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and  (b) Ministers in the Scottish Government on the closure of the end year flexibility scheme.

Michael Moore: I have regular discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a wide range of issues. I also have regular discussions with Scottish Government Ministers. The Government's priority is to deal with the deficit, and the end-year flexibility system has led to accumulated stocks of around £20 billion which would further increase the deficit if they were spent. The Budget announced a new Budget Exchange system that will be introduced in 2011-12 to replace end-year flexibility. This will provide Departments and the devolved Administrations with flexibility to deal with slippage in expenditure while strengthening spending control. But in recognition of the unique situation of the devolved Administrations, the Government have allowed Scotland to carry forward £130 million of agreed under-spend from this year into next.

Unemployment: Young People

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on steps to reduce the level of youth unemployment in Scotland.

Michael Moore: The Government inherited rising youth unemployment and is committed to finding solutions to a problem which has persisted for many years. This is a matter I discuss regularly with other Ministers and relevant stakeholders. As I said in the House of Commons on 9 March 2011,  Official Report, column 894, I will invite employers, voluntary organisations and others to an event in Ayrshire in the next few weeks to discuss the legacy issues about youth unemployment and the Government's plans to get Scotland's young people back to work.

TREASURY

Anaerobic Digestion: Finance

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his policy is on the provision of fiscal incentives for capital investment in farm-based anaerobic digestion;
	(2)  what his policy is on the provision of fiscal incentives for on-farm co-digestion of agricultural and urban waste;
	(3)  what fiscal incentives he plans to put in place to promote growth in the marine energy industry in each of the next four financial years.

Justine Greening: All taxes are kept under review and any decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor with announcements made at Budget. There have been no plans announced for specific tax reliefs for marine energy or anaerobic digestion.
	Electricity supplied from these technologies is already exempt from the climate change levy as part of a wider exemption for renewables.
	The Government also provide support for these technologies through the renewables obligation (RO), feed-in tariffs (FITs) and new renewable heat incentive (RHI).

Banks: EU Law

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department has gathered on the unauthorised  (a) disclosure and  (b) publication of document CRD3, Briefing on the Committee of European Banking Supervisors Guidance on Remuneration Provisions in Capital Requirements Directive.

Mark Hoban: It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to comment on the initiation, content, or outcome of internal leak investigations.

Boarding Schools

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department provides financial assistance to his officials for boarding school fees for their children.

Justine Greening: Officials are not entitled to claim school fees for their children except where a member of staff is being relocated and there is a period where two sets of fees are payable. There have been no staff relocations in recent years so no payments have been made.

Budget March 2011

Tom Watson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the public purse was of the dispatch box he used on 23 March 2011.

Jonathan Djanogly: I have been asked to reply.
	The dispatch box used on 23 March 2011 was a replacement for the famous 'Gladstone' Budget box which has been used by Chancellors since the 19th century. The Gladstone box was retired in 2010 to ensure its preservation for future generations, befitting its status as an important cultural artefact. The Budget box has become an iconic representation of the nation's cultural heritage, and the same traditional techniques used in the mid 19th century to create the Gladstone box were applied in the making of the replacement box, using current conservation grade materials. It was hand-made in the UK using traditional techniques and materials by a team of experts including carpenters, bookbinders, tool makers and engravers. The replacement box cost £4,300.
	The cost reflects the craftsmanship and quality of materials which is in line with the relative costs paid by similar cultural institutions in preserving other valuable records of national heritage importance. By using the same techniques, we can expect the replacement box to last at least as long as the original and remain in use for 150 years or more, or an equivalent cost of £28.67 to the nation per year.
	Details and cost of the box formed part of the media briefing pack which was used to brief journalists on the day of the Budget.

Charities

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department provided to each charity it funds in each of the last five years; and how much he has allocated for funding to each such charity in each of the next five years.

Justine Greening: The information relating to the last five years is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department has not allocated any funding to charities in the next five years.

Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011,  Official Report, column 851, on the Debt Relief (Development Countries) Act 2010, on what date he will bring forward proposals; and when he expects to lay before Parliament the necessary statutory instrument to make provisions in the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010, permanent.

Mark Hoban: The Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010 and the Act came into force on 8 June 2010. The legislation means that UK courts of law can no longer be used to pursue excessive claims against some of the poorest countries on their historic debts, ensuring that resources are available to tackle poverty.
	The sunset clause attached to this legislation means that the law will expire on 7 June 2011. The Government have reviewed the impact of the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010. Evidence suggests that the Act has had some benefit on heavily indebted poor countries and no evidence has been found of unintended adverse effects.
	The Government have therefore decided to make the Act permanent and the draft order will be laid before Parliament on 28 March 2011.

Devolution

Naomi Long: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether money from the Growth Fund in relation to credit unions has been allocated to devolved institutions under the provisions of the Barnett formula.

Danny Alexander: The Department for Work and Pensions has allocated funding of £73 million to expand and modernise third sector organisations (including those in Scotland and Wales) from within its own departmental allocation. It is not within their remit to fund provision in Northern Ireland. Credit unions are devolved in Northern Ireland.

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Robin Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate  (a) the cost to the public purse of reducing duty on beers and ciders with an ABV of less than 2.5% and  (b) the fiscal effects of extending this reduction to beers and ciders with an ABV of up to four%.

Justine Greening: The share of the beer and cider market below 2.5% ABV is less than 1% of total. As such the impact of reducing the rates on these products would be small, even if the reduction was large.
	Reducing duty on beer and cider up to 4% would have a much larger effect as the market share is much greater. However, under EU directive 92/83, it is not possible to apply a reduced rate to beers above 2.8% AVC.
	The UK hopes to achieve an increase in this threshold through current discussions on potential changes to the directive.

Excise Duties: Beer

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions in respect of rates of inflation his Department used in its calculation of the additional revenue forecast to accrue from the beer duty escalator for 2011-12; and if he will estimate the level at which beer duty would need to be set to achieve the same level of revenue using the most recent forecast of inflation for 2011-12.

Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) on 16 March 2011,  Official Report, column 379W.

Excise Duties: Beer

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the relationship between beer duty rates, beer duty revenue and beer consumption in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) on 16 March 2011,  Official Report, column 379-81W.

Excise Duties: Beer

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the effects of freezing beer duty on the level of  (a) unemployment and  (b) revenue to the Exchequer.

Justine Greening: Estimates can be made from the direct effects of illustrative changes table published by HMRC at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/table1-6.pdf
	This shows that every 1% increase on duty is worth around £25 million.
	Economic effects, such as employment are considered on the whole package of Budget measures by the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR). Individual measures are not considered in isolation. However, as set out in its latest 'Economic and fiscal outlook', the OBR expects total employment to rise by 900,000 between 2010 and 2015.

Excise Duties: Beer

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to support the adoption of EU Directives 92/83 and 92/84 on Alcohol Excise Duty to achieve  (a) favourable tax treatment for beer and  (b) an increase in the threshold below which a reduced rate of duty can be applied to beer.

Justine Greening: The rates of duty on different alcohol products are set as part of the Budget process. Existing legislation already allows for different treatment of different products.
	EU Directive 92/83 allows for a reduced rate of duty to be applied to beers at or below 2.8% alcohol by volume (abv) in strength. The UK hopes to achieve an increase in this threshold through current discussions on potential changes to the directive.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce fiscal measures to assist charities and voluntary organisations to meet the cost of fuel.

Justine Greening: Charitable organisations are free to pay volunteer drivers mileage payments through the approved mileage allowance payments scheme which is intended to cover motoring costs. Budget 2011 increases the payments scheme rates from 6 April 2011 to 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter.
	Volunteer driving can involve the carriage of passengers to essential appointments such as at hospitals or local doctors' surgeries. Budget 2011 extends the payments scheme's existing 5p per mile passenger payment to volunteer drivers.

Excise Duties: Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on fuel duty differentials for liquid petroleum gas.

Justine Greening: The Chancellor routinely discusses a range of issues with European counterparts.

Excise Duties: Motor Vehicles

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal incentives to promote the use of diesel-hybrid vehicles he is considering.

Justine Greening: No new additional incentives were announced at Budget 2011.
	However, the available incentives include the alternative fuel rates of vehicle excise duty for cars registered from 1 March 2001 which offer a £10 discount for cars that feature a hybrid fuel-electric powertrain.
	A hybrid fuel-electric powertrain may also help to lower a car's per kilometre carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore the lower vehicle excise duty rates for cars with reduced carbon dioxide emissions may provide an additional incentive.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will  (a) assess the likely effect on the Financial Services Compensation Scheme of proposed (i) domestic and (ii) European reforms to the financial services sector and  (b) initiate a consultation on reforms to the funding of the Scheme.

Mark Hoban: The Government published a consultation paper, 'A new approach to financial regulation: building a stronger system', in February 2011. This proposed changes to the statutory framework for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) to reflect that the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the rule-making body for the FSCS, will be replaced by two new regulators, the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority. The consultation closes on 14 April. This does not propose any changes to the funding structure of the FSCS.
	The Government submit explanatory memoranda on all EU proposals for parliamentary scrutiny. The Government's view of the proposals to amend the Deposit Guarantee Schemes and Investor Compensation Schemes directives can be found in explanatory memoranda 12386/10 dated 12 September 2010 and 12346/10 dated 17 September 2010, which remain under scrutiny by the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee.
	As the rule-making body for FSCS funding, the FSA announced a comprehensive review of the FSCS funding model in 2009. Formal consultation has been temporarily postponed due to the ongoing changes to the domestic and European regulatory architecture.
	The FSA will restart their public consultation in due course.

Income Tax: Older Workers

Andrew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many men and how many women over the state pension age paid tax on income from employment in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs estimate that there are 1.83 million taxpayers in 2010-11 with pay from employment or self-employment income who are above the state pension age, of which 0.83 million are female and 1.0 million are male.
	Estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's autumn forecast 2010.

Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property

Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect on economic growth of the ending of the holiday period for empty property rates.

David Gauke: The Government have balanced the ability to take action on empty property relief (EPR) and the support it would offer businesses against the costs involved, targeted support that we have already provided on business rates and the overriding need to reduce public expenditure and support the economy generally by reducing the deficit. Taking these matters into consideration the Government have concluded that extending the temporary EPR measure is unaffordable; however the Government keep all taxes under review.

Pregnant Women: Grants

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total savings to the public purse as a result of ending the  (a) health in pregnancy grant and  (b) baby element of the child tax credit in 2010-11.

David Gauke: Provision of the health in pregnancy grant ended in January 2010, while provision of the baby element of tax credits is due to end in April 2011.
	The savings to the Exchequer from ending the health in pregnancy grant in 2010-11, as published in the June Budget document, is £40 million.
	The savings to the Exchequer from ending the baby element of child tax credit in 2011-12, as published in the June Budget document, is £295 million.
	More information can be found at the following link:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/junebudget_costings.pdf

Private Sector

David Blunkett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he issues to local authorities on obtaining savings from contractual requirements on outsourced services undertaken by the private sector; and if he will make a statement.

Danny Alexander: It is for individual local authorities to determine if and how they obtain savings through outsourcing. The Government want to remove barriers to innovation and diversity of supply, which is why the Government have recently revoked the local authority two-tier code.
	To help promote a level playing field, Government will shortly issue minimal, light-touch Best Value guidance to local authorities underlining the role of small businesses and third sector organisations.
	In addition, Government support the Local Government Group's Local Productivity Programme. That programme is helping to identify opportunities to enhance the productivity and value for money from services. Further details are available at:
	http://local.gov.uk/lgv2/core/page.do?pageId=579930

Public Bodies: Grants

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department issues on the treatment of grant in aid given to a public body sponsored by a Government Department as money owed to central government in the public body's accounts.

Danny Alexander: The Treasury issues guidance on the accounting treatment of grant in aid through the Government Financial Reporting Manual. The manual contains specific guidance for those public bodies to which it applies on how to account for grant in aid received from a sponsoring Department.
	The Treasury also publishes Managing Public Money, which sets out the main principles for dealing with resources used by public sector organisations in the UK. This document sets out how Government Departments should arrange and control grants (including grants in aid) to third parties.

Public Finance

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of recent trends in the level of Government debt.

Justine Greening: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its March 2011 'Economic and fiscal outlook' on 23 March 2011. This includes the OBR's assessment of public sector net debt and is available here:
	http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/econ-fiscal-outlook-march.html

Tax Allowances

Nick Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department holds on the distributional effect of tax reliefs and allowances relating to  (a) pensions and  (b) individual savings accounts by income group decile.

Mark Hoban: HM Revenue and Customs do not collect data on the income decile breakdown of tax relief and allowances in respect of pensions and individual savings accounts (ISAs).

Tobacco: Prices

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect on demand for cigarettes of trends in the price of cigarettes.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs estimates that a 1% increase in prices results in a 1.05% decrease in consumption of duty paid cigarettes. These results are published in the following technical paper:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/cig-consumption-uk.pdf

VAT

William Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the Exchequer of low value consignment relief as it applied to value added tax was in each of the last four financial years.

David Gauke: The cost to the Exchequer of low value consignment relief, based on a constant 17.5% standard rate of VAT, would be as follows:
	
		
			  Loss of VAT 
			  Financial year  £ million 
			 2006-07 95 
			 2007-08 105 
			 2008-09 135 
			 2009-10 140 
		
	
	In practice the actual cost would be slightly different from these figures reflecting the temporary cut in the standard rate of VAT.

Welfare Tax Credits: Wolverhampton

Pat McFadden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in Wolverhampton South East constituency are in receipt of tax credits.

David Gauke: At December 2010 there were 11,300 households in receipt of tax credits in Wolverhampton South East constituency.
	The latest information on the number of families with children benefiting from child and working tax credits, by each parliamentary constituency, local authority and region is available in the HMRC snapshot publication "Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Geographical Analyses. December 2010". This can be found at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-dec2010.pdf

WORK AND PENSIONS

Welfare Reform Bill

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill.

Iain Duncan Smith: Ministers and officials in my Department have had substantial engagement with both representative groups and customers of the current benefit system on the provisions in the Welfare Reform Bill, and continue to do so.
	These discussions have included members of disabled people's organisations, housing groups, business bodies, prominent think-tanks, family and child care groups.
	In addition, the Government have consulted formally on a number of measures included in the Welfare Reform Bill, in particular universal credit and disability living allowance reform. We remain absolutely committed to continuing this consultative approach.

Welfare Reform Bill

Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential effects on incentives to work of implementation of the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill.

Iain Duncan Smith: I refer the hon. Lady to the reply I gave earlier today.

Welfare Reform Bill

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has undertaken on the effects of the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill on those diagnosed with cancer; what consultation he has had on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: There has been no specific assessment made of the effect of the Welfare Reform Bill on those diagnosed with cancer. We have, however, produced both Impact Assessments and Equality Impact Assessments for all measures. These can be found at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/legislation-and-key-documents/welfare-reform-bill-2011/index.shtml
	In the case of those with cancer who are unable to work and have been placed in the Support Group, they will continue to receive targeted and unconditional support through Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and will not be affected by our proposals to introduce a time limit. After one year, those in the Work Related Activity Group will still be able to apply for income-related ESA, which will act as a safety net for those without the means to support themselves.
	Professor Malcolm Harrington is currently reviewing the assessment process for cancer patients and has asked Macmillan Cancer Support and other cancer charities for their input into this issue. We look forward to receiving his recommendations.
	We consulted on the reform of Disability Living Allowance from 6 December 2010 to 18 February 2011. In total we received over 5,500 replies, including responses from Macmillan Cancer Support, Breast Cancer Care, CLIC Sargent and Myeloma UK. We are currently considering these and will be publishing a response shortly.

New Enterprise Allowance: Merseyside

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress his Department has made on delivering New Enterprise Allowance support in Merseyside.

Chris Grayling: The New Enterprise Allowance was launched in Merseyside on 31 January. We have a partner to deliver the mentoring support and have appointed a provider for the NEA Loans Service.
	The early signs are promising with nearly 400 referrals from Jobcentre Plus to the mentoring service, and over half of these are now working with a business mentor.

Community Care Grants

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) British and  (b) non-British citizens have received the community care grant in each of the smallest geographic areas for which figures are available in each of the last five years.

Steve Webb: We are unable to provide information on whether the recipients of community care grants are either British or non-British citizens as this information is not captured on the Social Fund Computer System or other departmental data.

Compensation

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department and each  (a) agency and  (b) non-departmental public body for which he is responsible spent on compensation payments to members of the public for errors made by such bodies in each of the last five years.

Chris Grayling: A figure relating solely to error is not available; I have therefore provided information about the total amount paid under the Department's financial redress scheme from which discretionary payments are made to customers, including payments made in relation to official error. The information is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Organisation  Status  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 Jobcentre Plus Agency 937,000 871,000 880,000 1,093,000 1,456,000 
			 The Pensions Service Agency 984,000 940,000 1,102,000 - - 
			 Disability and Carers Service Agency 471,000 497,000 555,000 - - 
			 Pensions, Disability and Carers Service Agency - - - 3,102,000 3,850,000 
			 Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission NDPB 4,138,000 3,709,000 4,729,000 4,341,000 3,006,000 
			 Pensions Ombudsman/Pensions Protection Fund Ombudsman NDPB - - 0 1,000 0 
			 Health and Safety Executive NDPB 1,000 0 3,000 4,000 0 
			 Independent Living Fund NDPB 2,000 0 0 3,000 1,000 
			 Notes: 1. The amounts are rounded to the nearest £1,000. 2. On 1 April 2008 the Pensions Service merged with Disability and Carers Service to form the Pension, Disability and Carers Service. 3. No payments were made by Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board, Disability Employment Advisory Committee, Equality 2025, Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, National Employment Savings Trust, Pension Protection Fund, Remploy, Social Security Advisory Committee, The Pensions Advisory Service, The Pensions Regulator. 4.The Pensions Ombudsman/Pensions Protection Fund Ombudsman have no records prior to 2007.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Pat McFadden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on conferences since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: The total expenditure incurred by the Department on conferences for the period May 2010 to December 2010 is £2.1 million. 72% of this expenditure was incurred in the first quarter of the year before revised guidance was in place and to honour commitments already entered into. Compared to the same period May to December 2009 spend has reduced by approximately 80%.
	The Department revised its internal policies and guidance in July 2010 with the clear intention of reducing costs. The use of an external venue for any business meeting, including conferences, is now exceptional and requires the advance approval of a member of the senior civil service.
	Staff are discouraged from attending commercial conference events unless there is a specific requirement or business need for them to do so.

Disability Living Allowance

Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to respond to the outcomes of his Department's consultation on disability living allowance.

Maria Miller: The Government plan to replace DLA with a new cash benefit-personal independence payment-to be introduced in 2013-14. The Department received over 5,000 individual responses and 500 responses from organisations to the public consultation on our proposals, which took place between 5 December 2010 and 18 February 2011. We are considering these responses and will publish our response shortly.

Disability Living Allowance

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people diagnosed with  (a) cancer and  (b) a stroke-related condition are in receipt of disability living allowance.

Maria Miller: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of people in receipt of disability living allowance where the main disabling condition is malignant disease or stroke-related conditions-August 2010 
			   Number 
			 All 3,176,200 
			 Malignant disease 83,700 
			 Stroke-related conditions 111,600 
			  Notes: 1. The preferred statistics on benefits are now derived from 100% data sources. However, the 5% sample data still provide some detail not yet available from the 100% data sources, in particular, more complete information on the disabling condition of DLA claimants. DWP recommends that, where the detail is only available on the 5% sample data, or disabling condition (DLA) is required, the proportions derived should be scaled up to the overall 100% total for the benefit. This has been done here. 2. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 3. Caseload totals show the-number of people in receipt of an allowance and exclude those with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 4. Stroke-related conditions include the following Neurological Diseases : 'G01'-Cerebrovascular accident (stroke), 'G02'-Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), 'G05'-Cerebrovascular disease-Other; and the psychiatric disorder 'F62'-Cognitive disorder due to stroke.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate, 5% sample

Disability Living Allowance: Autism

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints Atos Healthcare has received in relation to assessments of eligibility for disability living allowance in the last period for which figures are available; and how many such complaints related to assessments in respect of autism and related conditions.

Chris Grayling: The figures shown are the number of complaints received nationally in respect of disability living allowance assessments conducted by Atos Healthcare. This covers a wide spectrum of complaint issues and includes administrative activities such as appointment booking, aspects of the arrangements and conducting of the assessment.
	Benefit entitlement is determined by DWP Decision Makers, not Atos Healthcare Professionals. In order to make a decision on benefit entitlement the Decision Maker considers all the available evidence not just the reports received from Atos Healthcare. Further evidence may include the customer's 'self assessment', reports from GPs, hospital doctors and other health care professionals.
	The number of complaints (and assessments undertaken) Atos Healthcare have received relating to the service to customers claiming disability living allowance for the last two years is as follows:
	
		
			  Quarter ending  Number of complaints  Completed DLA assessments 
			 February 2011 148 10,109 
			 November 2010 161 12,509 
			 August 2010 187 14,121 
			 May 2010 168 14,325 
			 February 2010 135 13,178 
			 November 2009 139 13,504 
			 August 2009 123 13,781 
			 May 2009 118 12,489 
		
	
	Statistics relating to the customer's medical condition are not collated.

Disability Living Allowance: Children

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2011,  Official Report, column 739W, on disability living allowance, what provision will be made to maintain the incomes of existing child claimants of disability living allowance following the introduction of personal independence payments.

Maria Miller: In my answer of 18 March 2011,  Official Report, column 739W, I explained that we want to build on the experience of developing an assessment and applying it to new and existing claimants of working age to inform our decisions about the arrangements for children. We will not consider extending personal independence payment to new claims from children or to children already receiving DLA until we have had an opportunity to consider the effectiveness of the new arrangements for working-age people. This means that, following the introduction of personal independence payment for working-age individuals, DLA will continue to be paid to new and existing child claimants, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. We are currently considering responses to the disability living allowance reform public consultation on this issue and will provide further details of our proposals when we publish the Government response shortly.

Employment and Support Allowance: Cancer

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the average length of claim made by recipients of employment and support allowance who were cancer patients in receipt of oral chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment was in each of the last four financial years;
	(2)  how many claimants of employment and support allowance were cancer patients in receipt of oral chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment in each of the last two years; how much his Department paid to such persons in employment and support allowance in each such year; and if he will estimate  (a) the number of such claimants and  (b) the expenditure on them in employment and support allowance in each of the next two years;
	(3)  if he will estimate the potential savings to his Department arising from implementation of his proposals on employment and support allowance in respect of cancer patients in receipt of oral chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment in each of the next two years.

Maria Miller: The National Statistics datasets on employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants do not contain any information about whether cancer patients are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
	Eligibility for ESA is based on an individual's functional capacity. Savings are not defined on the basis of a particular condition.
	For information, statistics on ESA claimants by duration of claim and medical condition data are available and these are published on the Department's website at:
	http://83.244.183.180/100pc/tabtool.html
	Also, official statistics on ESA work capability assessments are published at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca/index.php?page=esa_wca_arc
	These include the numbers of claimants who automatically qualify for the Support Group as they are receiving certain types of chemotherapy.
	In March 2010 we published a Department-led review of the work capability assessment (WCA). This made some recommendations for improving the WCA including making greater provision for individuals awaiting or in between courses of chemotherapy, taking greater account of how an individual has adapted to their condition and simplifying some of the descriptors. We have now laid Regulations to ensure these changes will come into force on 28 March 2011.
	Professor Harrington has asked Macmillan Cancer Support to look into how the WCA assesses people with cancer, including whether people receiving oral chemotherapy should be placed directly into the Support Group. Macmillan are making good progress with this work and will make recommendations to Professor Harrington in the spring.

Employment: Wolverhampton

Pat McFadden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of the working age population of Wolverhampton South East constituency were employed in  (a) May 1997 and  (b) the latest month for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of the working age population of Wolverhampton South East constituency was employed in (a) May 1997 and (b) the latest month for which figures are available. (48889)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
	The Wolverhampton South East parliamentary constituency changed to new boundaries at the 2010 general election. Figures for the current Wolverhampton South East parliamentary constituency are only available from 2004.
	Table 1 shows the number of persons in employment resident in Wolverhampton South East parliamentary constituency for the 12 month period ending in December 2004 and for June 2010 from the APS, this is the latest estimate for which figures are available. Proportions have been calculated using an age 16-64 denominator.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of persons( 1)  in employment resident in Wolverhampton South East parliamentary constituency 
			   Thousand  Rate 
			 December 2004 36 66.8 
			 June 2010 ***33 57.1 
			 (1) Persons aged 16 to 64 (2 )Coefficients of Variation have been calculated as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality below.  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV-for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key: * 0 ≤ CV<5%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%-Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes CV = Coefficient of Variation  Source: Annual Population Survey

Housing Benefit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston of 14 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 123-4W, on housing benefit, for what reasons his Department decided to cap housing benefit payments for both couple and lone parent households at £500 per week.

Chris Grayling: From 2013, we are introducing a cap on the total amount of benefit that working-age people can receive so that households on out of work benefits will no longer receive more in welfare payments than the average weekly wage for working households. We estimate that in 2013, average earnings after tax and national insurance contributions for working households will be around £500 a week.

New Deal Schemes

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people entered the flexible new deal in  (a) October,  (b) November and  (c) December 2009; and in each such case how many have secured (i) short term and (ii) sustained employment.

Chris Grayling: The number of starts (minus re-starts) on the flexible new deal during the period October, November and December 2009 is as follows:
	
		
			   Starts (net of starts from re-referral) 
			 October 2009 9,520 
			 November 2009 16,340 
			 December 2009 13,330 
			  Notes: 1. Starts figures do not include starts from second or subsequent referrals to the same provider.  2. Figures for starts are refreshed each month and will increase over time.  3. Please see FND information note available on the following website for further information and definitions: http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?paae=ddfnd  Source:  Provider, Referrals and Payment (PRaP) management information system. 
		
	
	We are currently not able to track individual cohorts to establish the proportions/volumes from each that gained short/sustained employment.
	Since the start of FND there have been 338,380 starts (net of starts from re-referrals) 38,700 short job outcomes and 18,390 sustained job outcomes.

Occupational Pensions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage employers to provide pensions for their staff.

Steve Webb: The Government are committed to reinvigorate occupational pensions and to encourage companies to offer high-quality pensions to all employees.
	Starting from 2012, a new duty will be introduced requiring all employers to automatically enrol eligible workers into a qualifying workplace pension scheme. Automatic enrolment will mean that the employee will have to actively choose not to participate in pension savings.
	We are also taking action to simplify the rules and regulations relating to existing occupational pensions.
	We have recently put in place simplified disclosure of information regulations enabling greater use of electronic communications which came into force on 1 December 2010.
	The rules on employer debt to pension schemes are being reviewed to make it easier for companies to restructure while protecting members' pensions. The aim is to introduce these changes in October 2011, following public consultation.
	We are also ending contracting out from the state additional pension for defined contribution pension schemes from April 2012. This will simplify pension choices for individuals and administration for schemes and employers who sponsor them.

Older Workers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the workforce in the UK is over 60 years of age.

Steve Webb: In the UK as at Q4 2010, according to the Labour Force Statistics (LFS) those over 60 represented 8.6% of all those in employment above the age of 16.

Pensioners

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to assist pensioners in the current economic climate.

Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 3 March 2011,  Official Report, column 525W.

Pensioners

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps his Department has taken to assist pensioners in reducing their household bills.

Steve Webb: We worked closely with DECC and energy suppliers to deliver an £80 rebate off electricity bills last year. The rebate, paid under the Energy Rebate Scheme, went to pensioners aged 70 and over receiving only the guarantee credit element of pension credit.
	Following this trial of data sharing with energy suppliers, we are proposing that energy suppliers extend the rebate to a wider group of pensioners as part of the Warm Home Discount scheme. The rebate would be at least £120 a year. The first data matching exercise under this scheme is planned for winter 2011/12, subject to the necessary regulations being approved by Parliament.

Pensions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage people to pay into pension schemes.

Steve Webb: Our key measure to reinvigorate private pension saving is the workplace pension reforms-automatic enrolment into a workplace pension for employees, compulsory employer contributions and establishment of the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST).
	Starting from October 2012 all employers will be required to automatically enrol their eligible workers into a qualifying pension scheme. We estimate that the reforms should lead to 5 to 8 million people newly saving or saving more for their retirement.
	In addition the Government are exploring how pension saving might be made more attractive to people. For example, we are removing the requirement to annuitise at age 75 as part of the Finance Bill 2011, and we are continuing to consider options for improving take-up of the open market option for annuities.
	We are also engaging in debates across the broader pensions community, and welcome initiatives such as the National Association of Pension Funds' Workplace Retirement Income Commission, which aims to develop consensus on how to improve and strengthen retirement savings.

Social Security Benefits: Hearing Impairment

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of those claiming out-of-work benefits are deaf.

Maria Miller: The information requested is not available for all benefits. Information on whether a claimant is deaf is not routinely recorded for all claimants.
	Information is available on whether the main medical condition for incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance and employment and support allowance claimants is "Other Hearing Loss", which includes deafness, and whether the main disabling condition for attendance allowance and disability living allowance claimants is deafness.
	The information that is available is presented as follows:
	
		
			  Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance (IB/SDA) and employment support allowance (ESA) claimants, August 2010 
			   ESA  IB/SDA 
			 All 563,980 2,082,570 
			 "Other Hearing Loss" 940 5,720 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. For IB/SDA and ESA deafness is included under the disabling condition of "Other Hearing Loss". 3. To qualify for Incapacity Benefit (IB), claimants have to undertake a medical assessment of incapacity for work called a Personal Capability Assessment. Under the employment and support allowance regime, new claimants have to undergo the Work Capability Assessment. From April 2011 incapacity benefit recipients will begin also to undertake this assessment. The medical condition recorded on the claim form does not itself confer entitlement to incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance. So, for example, a decision on entitlement for a customer claiming incapacity benefit on the basis of "other hearing loss" would be based on their ability to carry out the range of activities related to physical and mental function, assessed by the Personal/Work Capability Assessment. 4. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance (ESA) from October 2008.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% WPLS 
		
	
	
		
			  Attendance allowance (AA) cases in payment, August 2010 
			   Number 
			 All 1,624,660 
			 Deafness 8,530 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 2. A diagnosed medical condition does not mean that someone is automatically entitled to AA. Entitlement is dependent on an assessment of how much help someone needs with personal care and/or mobility because of their disability.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 100% WPLS 
		
	
	
		
			  Disability living allowance (DLA) cases in payment ,  August 2010 
			   Number 
			 All 3,176,200 
			 Deafness 41,900 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 2. A diagnosed medical condition does not mean that someone is automatically entitled to DLA. Entitlement is dependent on an assessment of how much help someone needs with personal care and/or mobility because of their disability.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 5% WPLS 
		
	
	 Notes:
	DLA figures are from 5% sample data uprated to 100% proportions. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	The preferred statistics on benefits are now derived from 100% data sources. However, the 5% sample data still provides some detail not yet available from the 100% data sources, in particular, more complete information on the disabling condition of DLA claimants. DWP recommends that, where the detail is only available on the 5% sample data, or disabling condition (DLA) is required, the proportions derived should be scaled up to the overall 100% total for the benefit. These figures have been scaled up to the overall total by the application of a single rating factor therefore subtotals based on uprated 5% data may differ from 100% data because of sampling variation in the 5% sample.

Unemployment: Graduates

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many graduates aged 24 years or less were unemployed in the latest period for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of such graduates who were in receipt of jobseeker's allowance.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many graduates aged 24 years or less were unemployed in the latest period for which figures are available; and what estimate has been made of the proportion of such graduates who were in receipt of jobseekers allowance (48828).
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for the UK from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
	According to the LFS, there were 117,000 graduates aged 24 or under who were unemployed during the period October to December 2010. Of those, 34% reported that they were claiming unemployment related benefit.

Universal Credit

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the potential number of households entitled to help with child care costs under the universal credit on the basis of less than 16 hours work.

Maria Miller: The Secretary of State announced in the Second Reading of the Welfare Reform Bill that there would be an additional element in universal credit to support child care costs, and will aim not to restrict to those working more than 16 hours, but are considering how best to allocate support.
	The precise number of households entitled to help with child care costs under universal credit who work fewer than 16 hours depends on the design of the additional element-namely the proportion of costs covered and the maximum limits.
	We expect to announce further details during the course of the Bill.

Universal Credit

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of lone parents who  (a) earn no more than the minimum wage,  (b) receive up to (i) 60, (ii) 70 and (iii) 80% of child care costs and  (c) work (A) 10, (B) 16, (C) 20 and (D) 30 hours per week who will receive more for working than being on benefits under his proposals for universal credit.

Maria Miller: The Secretary of State announced in the second reading of the Welfare Reform Bill that there would be an additional element in universal credit to support child care costs, and that at least the same amount of money will be invested in this as in the existing system, but he is taking further advice before deciding what rates to set.
	The proportion of lone parents in each scenario that will have a higher income in work than out of work, will depend on the design of the additional element-namely the proportion of costs covered and the maximum limits.
	We expect to announce further details during the course of the Bill.

Credit Unions: Northern Ireland

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how much funding for the Growth Fund has been allocated to the Northern Ireland Executive over the comprehensive spending review period; and whether such funding is ring-fenced for the use of credit unions;
	(2)  whether the Northern Ireland Executive will receive a proportion of the £73 million allocated by his Department for the modernisation and growth of credit unions.

Steve Webb: The Department for Work and Pensions have allocated funding of £73 million to expand and modernise third sector organisations from within its own departmental allocation. It is not within our remit to fund provision in Northern Ireland.
	During April to September the Department will manage a feasibility study to examine the scope and the options for the modernisation and expansion of the sector.
	Credit unions and other community financial institutions that already hold a contract with the Department will have the opportunity of extending those contracts, subject to selection criteria, during this time.
	Following feasibility testing, decisions will be made on the way forward and a further announcement will be made.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Welfare

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has made to the UN and other international agencies on the illegal trade in animals and wildlife.

Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State spoke at the United Nations in September regarding biodiversity, although this did not cover illegal trade in animals and wildlife specifically.
	I have held frequent meeting with NGO representatives and DEFRA officials to ensure that the strong positions held by the UK Government are understood across the NGO community.
	DEFRA officials have been engaged in discussions with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Secretariat in preparing for the next CITES Standing Committee in August. Matters discussed include: measures to ensure the effective implementation of CITES, such as the introduction of electronic, permitting systems; internet trade; legislative implementation in the UK's overseas territories and Crown Dependencies; and the development of a suitable mechanism against which to assess the appropriateness of future elephant ivory sales.
	Officials have also attended the Compliance Committee of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas where blue fin tuna fishing plans for 2011 were assessed to ensure that blue fin tuna will not be fished, and therefore traded, illegally.

Breed Societies

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the likely effects of establishing a single equine passport issuing organisation on income levels of breed societies.

James Paice: We are currently reconsidering the Government's requirements in respect of horse passports and associated data. A full assessment of the impact on DEFRA-approved breed societies and passport issuing organisations will be made before implementing any changes to the current system.

Carbon Emissions

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Carbon Trust on the eligibility criteria for the commercial loan scheme for energy efficiency and low carbon equipment in the agriculture sector.

James Paice: Government have no role in the Carbon Trust's recently announced commercial loan scheme. As such, the Secretary of State has had no discussions regarding eligibility criteria.

Common Agricultural Policy

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the nature of public goods which should be protected under pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy.

James Paice: The current pillar 2 of the CAP plays an important role in delivering non-market-distorting public goods through sustainable land management and support for the rural economy. Outcomes that are regarded as public goods and funded by Pillar 2 are those that are of clear benefit to the public across the EU, but would not be provided by the market.
	The nature of these goods ranges from biodiversity outcomes to those actions that contribute to climate change mitigation. A reformed Common Agricultural Policy must promote the improved delivery of public goods.

Common Agricultural Policy

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings she has had with  (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and  (b) the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

James Paice: Government Ministers meet regularly in Cabinet and Cabinet sub-Committee settings as well as bilaterally, to discuss the many important issues that the Government are dealing with, including reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Common Agricultural Policy

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on reform of  (a) pillar 1 and  (b) pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy.

James Paice: In a smaller overall Budget, future CAP expenditure must be founded on a twin-track approach, building competitiveness and so reducing reliance on subsidies, and enabling farmers to better deliver the environmental goods that the public demands.
	Pillar 1 should become a transitional measure, as tools to encourage competitiveness and reduce farmers' reliance on subsidies are introduced and take effect.
	We are committed to an increased focus on actions under pillar 2 providing public goods that the market cannot deliver and supporting improvements in competitiveness. Agri-environment schemes will continue to be a particular priority, supporting our commitment to being "The Greenest Government Ever".

Common Fisheries Policy

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent meetings she has had on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Richard Benyon: As UK Fisheries Minister I have had discussions with a range of organisations and people about common fisheries policy (CFP) reform. This includes discussions with the EU Fisheries Commissioner, other member states and MEPs at the high level political meeting on discards on 1 March. I have also met representatives of the fishing industry-both large scale and under-10 metre fleets-MEPs, retailers, and non-governmental organisations.
	I plan to have further discussions in pressing our case for radical reform of the CFP.

Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent on the contents of ministerial drinks cabinets since 12 May 2010.

Richard Benyon: The Department has not spent anything on the contents of ministerial drinks cabinets since 12 May 2010.

Departmental Assets

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether receipts from the sale of assets owned by regional development agencies are reflected in the spending plans of her Department for  (a) 2012-13 and  (b) 2013-14.

Richard Benyon: holding answer 17 March 2011
	No. Receipts from the sale of assets owned by regional development agencies are not included in the Department's spending plans.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent on  (a) salaries and  (b) pension entitlements for special advisers in the financial year 2010-11 to date.

Richard Benyon: Details of special adviser numbers and paybands are available on the Cabinet Office website:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases
	The published information was released in conjunction with a written ministerial statement. It lists the names of special advisers in post at various times, including each special adviser's pay band, actual salary where this is £58,200 or higher, together with details of the special adviser's pay ranges for 2010-11, and the total pay bill cost of special advisers in the period.
	The estimated pay bill includes pension costs. Details of pension arrangements are set out in the Model contract for Special Advisers.

Departmental Rail Travel

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of civil servants in her Department are entitled to travel first class by rail within the UK.

Richard Benyon: In line with HM Treasury policy, all staff are required to travel by standard class as the norm, unless good business reasons justify otherwise.

Departmental Redundancy

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what expenditure public bodies sponsored by her Department incurred on redundancies in 2009-10; and what estimate has been made of equivalent expenditure in 2010-11.

Richard Benyon: Details for compulsory redundancy expenditure in public bodies sponsored by DEFRA in 2009-10 and 2010-11 are set out in the following table. The fourth column explains whether the cost is actual or projected for 2010-11. The public bodies recorded here are DEFRA's Executive non-departmental public bodies.
	Please note that two NDPBs are in the process of closing at the moment-CRC and SDC-so the 2010-11 actual expenditure for those two bodies may be lower than the projected one as more employees may leave voluntarily or redeploy.
	
		
			   Financial year  
			  Executive NDPB  2009-10 (£)  2010-11 (£)  Comment 
			 Food From Britain n/a n/a - 
			 Environment Agency 483,964 635,329 Estimate 
			 Agricultural, Horticultural Development Board 0 167,000 Estimate 
			 Marine Management Organisation 0 0 - 
			 Commission for Rural Communities 0 603,000 Estimate 
			 Agricultural Wages Board 0 0 - 
			 Agricultural Wages Committee 0 0 - 
			 Gangmasters Licensing Authority 0 0 - 
			 Joint Nature Conservation Committee 0 0 - 
			 National Forest Company 0 0 - 
			 Consumer Council for Water 0 0 - 
			 Sea Fish 0 82,015 Actual 
			 Sustainable Development Commission 29,030 714,904 Estimate 
			 Kew 0 16,601 Actual 
			 Natural England 0 0 -

Fairtrade Initiative: Public Sector

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2011,  Official Report, column 46W, on the Fairtrade initiative: public sector, if she will request each procurement body to assess the cost to it of purchase of Fairtrade food and drink in order to inform the setting of Government buying standards; and if she will make a statement.

James Paice: We will shortly be introducing Government buying standards for food which include criteria to encourage the use of ethically traded food. The criteria are based on the results of our consultations, including on costs, with suppliers, public sector procurers as well as the Fairtrade Foundation. I do not intend to impose an additional cost-reporting burden on public bodies.

Fisheries

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what recent discussions she has had with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation on the trends in the relative proportions of fish stocks  (a) fished by capture and  (b) sourced through aquaculture in the last 10 years;
	(2)  what recent discussions she has had with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation on the trends in global prices for  (a) fish,  (b) fishmeal and  (c) fish oil;
	(3)  what recent discussions she has had with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation on trends in the global trade in fish;
	(4)  what recent discussions she has had with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation on the effects on biodiversity in coral reef habitats of  (a) blast fishing and  (b) poison fishing;
	(5)  what discussions she has had in the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation on the effects of the growth in aquaculture on  (a) the use of fish oil,  (b) the use of fishmeal and  (c) biodiversity.

Richard Benyon: The UK participates at Food and Agriculture Organisation meetings on fisheries issues, most recently the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) held in February 2011. The UK takes regular note of the global trends in fisheries production and trade, including those highlighted in the FAO's report, "The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2010". The UK is also fully supportive of international initiatives to ensure fishing activity is conducted in the most environmentally sustainable way possible.

Fisheries: Public Consultation

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to consult fishing communities on the future of the fishing industry.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA officials and I have had extensive discussions with a range of people who are active in fishing communities about both reform of domestic fisheries management arrangements in England and the overarching EU common fisheries policy (CFP). Under both these reforms, we are seeking to simplify and decentralise fisheries management, building in the right incentives for fishermen to operate sustainably and profitably in the future.
	A public consultation on proposals for domestic fisheries management reform is due to be launched in early spring 2011. I also plan to have further discussions in pressing our case for radical reform of the CFP in the coming months.

Food

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the regulation of food and agricultural commodity markets.

James Paice: Food prices are ultimately governed by the market, not by Government. The UK Government are committed to promoting the better functioning of agricultural markets, which will help to mitigate future price spikes. We will work with France during their G20 presidency to improve the transparency and availability of global stocks data and tackle export restrictions.

Forestry Commission: Redundancy

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she expects any job reductions to arise in the Forestry Commission's offices in Edinburgh as a result of the proposed sale of parts of the public forest estate.

James Paice: holding answer 14 February 2011
	All sales are suspended until we have considered the findings of the independent panel on forestry. The panel will advise on the future direction of forestry and woodland policy in England, on the role of the Forestry Commission, and on the role of the public forest estate.
	Separately the Forestry Commission is consulting staff on new organisational structures in response to the 2010 spending review settlement. It will be for the Forestry Commission to decide where its staff should be based after the conclusion of this consultation.

National Wildlife Crime Unit

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department plans to provide to the National Wildlife Crime Unit in  (a) 2011-12 and  (b) 2012-13.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA has confirmed funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit of £144,000 in 2011-12 and £136,000 in 2012-13.

National Wildlife Crime Unit

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what level of funding her Department provided to the National Wildlife Crime Unit in each of the last four years; and what level of funding it plans to provide to the Unit in each of the next four years.

Richard Benyon: holding answer 24 March 2011
	DEFRA provided £130,000 in 2007-08 and £150,000 in each of the years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.
	DEFRA has confirmed funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit of £144,000 in 2011-12 and £136,000 in 2012-13. No decision has been made as yet regarding funding beyond 2012-13.

Natural Gas

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2011,  Official Report, column 1140W, on shale gas, if Ministers in her Department will meet the Environment Agency to discuss its preparedness for on-shore drilling for shale gas and coal bed methane using hydraulic fracturing.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA officials continue to hold informal discussions with the Environment Agency on preparedness for on-shore drilling for shale gas and coal bed methane using hydraulic fracturing.
	I understand that the Environment Agency submitted written evidence to the Energy and Climate Change Committee on 14 March 2011, and expects to provide oral evidence on 29 March 2011.
	DEFRA Ministers do not expect to hold meetings with the Environment Agency to review the organisation's preparedness on the matter.

Nature Conservation: Mongolia

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to share her Department's expertise on  (a) wildlife conservation and  (b) protection of the natural environment with the Government of Mongolia as it develops conservation laws.

Richard Benyon: We have not been approached to provide conservation advice to the Government of Mongolia to help develop its conservation laws.
	However, the Department is funding some small-scale work through a Darwin Initiative scoping project towards developing a species conservation plan.

Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements are in place in her Department to  (a) reduce levels of work-based stress and  (b) provide assistance to staff diagnosed with such stress.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA has a workplace stress policy which outlines the Department's commitment to the prevention and management of, and rehabilitation from, workplace and other stress. Our policy also assists DEFRA meet its overall aims under the DEFRA Safety Policy and the Wellbeing Strategy and other HR policies such as sickness absence where relevant.
	A number of reduction measures are in place including toolkits for risk assessments, guidance on prevention strategies, and learning and development such as leadership and managing change etc. We also encourage use of the HSE's managers competency toolkit and have a separate wellbeing strategy.
	Assistance to staff diagnosed with stress is primarily provided following early referral to our occupational health service. We also have an independent employee assistance programme available to staff for the provision of counselling-both via the telephone and face to face where required.

Water

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to reduce the amount of water used in the food supply chain.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA is working with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to determine how this can best be done. Through WRAP, DEFRA supports the work of the Federation House Commitment, which aims to help reduce overall water use across the national food and drink industry by 20% by 2020.
	Over the next three years, WRAP will also be looking at how products are designed, produced, sold and used, and at extending the lifetime of products, all of which affect the food supply chain.

JUSTICE

Acklington and Castington Prisons

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the  (a) capital costs of and  (b) potential savings arising from building a single perimeter fence and gate block as part of the merger of HMP Acklington and HMP Castington; and what assessment he has made of the potential for using HMP Castington for prisoners in categories which need to be kept separately from those in HMP Acklington.

Crispin Blunt: The capital costs of building a single perimeter fence and gate block as part of the merger of Acklington and Castington prisons are estimated to be £5.6 million.
	This investment is part of a wider long-term savings strategy. Currently it is estimated that savings from the merger of the prisons will be around £1.79 million a year over 32 months. There is an additional one-off saving of £1.44 million by avoiding major maintenance projects on facilities that will become shared (i.e. kitchen and reception areas).
	Acklington and Castington are both category C adult male prisons. Therefore there are no issues raised by merging the two prisons in respect of security categorisation.

Alternatives to Prison: Females

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull East of 15 November 2010,  Official Report, columns 540-1W, on the Corston Report, if he will estimate the total level of funding for projects arising from the recommendations of the Corston Report from local commissioning arrangements in 2011-12.

Crispin Blunt: Funding for the Women's Community Projects was a one-off grant and ends in April 2011. It has always been the aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of the projects in diverting women from custody who do not pose a risk to the community and embed them as part of local commissioning arrangements.
	The National Offender Management Service has identified funding to sustain community projects that are critical to diverting women away from custody and crime and a further announcement will be made shortly. The Ministry of Justice will continue to encourage the development of services for women in the criminal justice system that address their complex problems.

Civil Litigation Funding

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what recent progress has been made on his civil justice funding review Proposals for Reform of Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales;
	(2)  what mechanism he proposes to establish to fund claimants' costs of medical reports in clinical negligence cases under his Department's civil justice funding review, Proposals for Reform of Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the proposals of the Access to Justice Action Group on after-the-event insurance made in response to his Department's justice funding review, Proposals for Reform of Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: The closing date for our consultation on "Proposals for Reform of Civil Litigation Funding and Costs in England and Wales-Implementation of Lord Justice Jackson's Recommendations" was 14 February 2011. We have considered all the consultation responses, including from the Action to Justice Action Group, and we will set out the Government's response in due course.

Departmental Local Government Finance

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much each local authority received from each  (a) revenue and  (b) capital funding stream from his Department in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how much funding his Department allocated from each such stream in each year; and what the change was in the level of funding in each such stream between those years in (A) cash and (B) real terms.

Kenneth Clarke: The MOJ's accounting systems do not record grant expenditure in the way the question has asked for. However, the Department can issue the following information on cash grants given to local authorities in 2010-11.
	
		
			  Local authority  Policy area  Grant amount (£) 
			 Borough of Waltham Forest D.V. 20,000.00 
			 Bury Community Safety Team D.V. 20,000.00 
			 London Borough of Camden D.V. 20,000.00 
			 North Tyneside Council D.V. 20,000.00 
			 Tameside MBC D.V. 20,000.00 
			 Warwickshire County Council D.V. 20,000.00 
			 Wiltshire Council D.V. 20,000.00 
			 Wiltshire Council Coroners 142,874.10 
			 Birmingham City Council Elections 2,495.00 
			 Brighton and Hove City Council Elections 3,998.14 
			 Chelmsford Borough Council Elections 714.00 
			 Coventry City Council Elections 3,906.00 
			 Derbyshire Dales District Council Elections 2,625.00 
			 Guildford Borough Council Elections 1,951.98 
			 Halton Borough Council Elections 5,514.96 
			 Herefordshire Council Elections 703.00 
			 High Peak Borough Council Elections 1,228.24 
			 Isle of Wight Council Elections 2,298.00 
			 Kettering Borough Council Elections 3,000.00 
			 Knowsley Borough Council Elections 19,687.00 
			 London Borough of Barnet Elections 13,594.86 
			 London Borough of Havering Elections 604.50 
			 New Forest District Council Elections 1,346.77 
			 North Warwickshire Borough Council Elections 11,387.00 
			 Oldham Council Elections 4,312.50 
			 Oldham Council Elections 4,765.00 
			 Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames Elections 15,361.02 
			 Sedgemoor District Council Elections 5,310.06 
			 South Northamptonshire Council Elections 2,129.84 
			 Thurrock Council Elections 3,958.00 
			 Torfaen County District Council Elections 800.00 
			 Tower Hamlets London Borough Council Elections 9,399.66 
			 Wandsworth Borough Council Elections 717.58 
			 Warrington Borough Council Elections 6,024.00 
			 Wychavon District Council Elections 1,318.50 
			 Babergh District Council Elections 0.00 
			 Barnsley MBC Elections 825.00 
			 Bristol City Council Elections 1,212.00 
			 Cannock Chase DC Elections 528.00 
			 Central Bedfordshire Council Elections 1,205.00 
			 Charnwood Borough Council Elections 666.00 
			 City of York Elections 690.00 
			 Corby Borough Council Elections 532.00 
			 Cornwall Council Elections 5,354.00 
			 Dartford Borough Council Elections 528.00 
			 Dumfries and Galloway VJB Elections 2,170.00 
			 East Lindsey District Council Elections 1,421.00 
			 East Northamptonshire DC Elections 536.00 
			 Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Elections 534.00 
			 Fenland District Council Elections 555.00 
			 Hambleton District Council Elections 572.00 
			 Hastings Borough Council Elections 577.00 
			 Lancaster City Council Elections 770.00 
			 Leeds City Council Elections 2,346.00 
			 Lincoln District Council Elections 737.00 
			 London Borough of Croydon Elections 1,129.00 
			 London Borough of Ealing Elections 877.00 
			 London Borough of Hillingdon Elections 572.00 
			 London Borough of Hounslow Elections 840.00 
			 London Borough of Lewisham Elections 939.00 
			 Medway Council Elections 779.00 
			 Mole Valley District Council Elections 531.00 
			 North Dorset District Council Elections 728.00 
			 North Kesteven District Council Elections 558.00 
			 North Norfolk District Council Elections 1,269.00 
			 Pendel Borough Council Elections 933.00 
			 Selby District Council Elections 535.00 
			 Shepway District Council Elections 804.00 
			 Slough District Council Elections 528.00 
			 South Holland District Council Elections 671.00 
			 South Kesteven DC Elections 616.00 
			 South Lanarkshire Council Elections 8,667.00 
			 South Ribble Borough Council Elections 529.00 
			 Stoke-on-Trent City Council Elections 704.00 
			 Suffolk Coastal Council Elections 528.00 
			 Sunderland City Council Elections 1,206.00 
			 Tewkesbury Borough Council Elections 746.00 
			 Torbay Council Elections 652.00 
			 Torfaen County District Council Elections 542.00 
			 Tower Hamlets London Borough Council Elections 1,109.00 
			 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Elections 584.00 
			 Uttlesford District Council Elections 699.00 
			 Warwick District Council Elections 555.00 
			 Wycombe District Council Elections 666.00 
			 Basildon DC Elections 2,906.41 
			 Bromsgrove District Council Elections 2,637.00 
			 Swindon Borough Council Elections 9,192.30 
			 Manchester City Council LFI 117,420.00 
			 Total  595,434.42 
			  Note: D.V. Domestic Violence: £140,000.00 Coroners: £142,874.10 Elections: £195,140.32 LFS Local Finance Incentives: £117,420.00 
		
	
	The MOJ will continue to fund work in combating domestic violence and has budgeted approximately £600,000 for 2011-12, however, the exact figure is still to be finalised, as is the percentage going to local authorities rather than third sector partners. The MOJ is anticipating granting £125,000 to Wiltshire and Oxford county councils to pay towards coroners' costs for service personnel. The Ministry of Defence will also be making a grant to Wiltshire for this purpose. However, this amount may vary dependant on the level of fatal military incidents. Responsibility for elections-related grants has now transferred to the Cabinet Office. The funding budget for local finance incentives has yet to be finalised in light of the spending review 2010.
	The MOJ's non-departmental public bodies, such as the Youth Justice Board and the probation trusts, also give grants to local authorities. However, it would incur disproportionate costs to collate all grants issued to local authorities by all the MOJ's arms length and non-departmental bodies.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Public Guardian Board;
	(3)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Magistrates' Courts Rule Committee;
	(4)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Legal Services Commission;
	(5)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Legal Services Ombudsman;
	(6)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of HM Inspectorate of Court Administration;
	(7)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Crown Court Rule Committee;
	(8)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of Courts Boards;
	(9)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the post and office of the Chief Coroner of England and Wales;
	(10)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Administrative Justice and Tribunal Council;
	(11)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the change in function of the National Archives;
	(12)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the change in function of Public Trustee;
	(13)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the change in function of the Parole Board of England and Wales;
	(14)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the change in function of HM Land Registry;
	(15)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the merging of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office;
	(16)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the merging of the Advisory Council on Public Records and the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives;
	(17)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the merging of the Advisory Council on Historical Manuscripts and the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives;
	(18)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the merging of the Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace.

Kenneth Clarke: The coalition Government are committed to increasing the accountability of public bodies, and this involves reducing the number and their cost to the taxpayer.
	To take this work forward, Cabinet Office and HM Treasury worked closely with Departments to look at all public bodies to make decisions about whether the functions they carry out should continue. Where it was decided that a function should continue, we applied three tests in order to assess whether it should continue to be carried out by a public body:
	does that body perform a technical function?
	does it need to be politically impartial?
	does it act independently to establish facts?
	On 16 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 9-10WS, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude) issued a written ministerial statement updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced that Departments estimate cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow from public bodies over the spending review period.
	For the Ministry of Justice, reductions from reform of the requested departmental public bodies have been estimated as follows:
	Youth Justice Board: Work is ongoing to finalise plans and timing for reform of the YJB. However the current estimate of annual savings from abolition is £6 million by 2014-15.
	The annual saving which will accrue from the abolition of the Public Guardian Board is estimated to be £0.1 million by 2014-15.
	The Legal Services Commission estimates that by the end of 2014-15 an annual administrative saving of £8.4 million will be delivered from the change in status from NDPB to executive agency.
	The annual saving which will accrue from the abolition of the Legal Services Ombudsman is estimated to be £ 1.1 million by 2014-15.
	The annual saving which will accrue from the abolition of HM Inspectorate of Court Administration is estimated to be £1.7 million by 2014-15.
	The annual saving which will accrue from the abolition of Courts Boards is £0.5 million by 2014-15.
	The annual saving which will accrue from the abolition of the Administrative Justice and Tribunal Council is estimated to be £1.4 million by 2014-15.
	The annual saving which will accrue from the merging of the Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace is estimated to be £1.4 million by 2014-15.
	The Ministry estimated that no savings would arise from the abolition of the following bodies:
	Crown Court Rule Committee;
	Magistrates' Courts Rule Committee.
	Chief Coroner of England and Wales: Although there are no immediate savings to be had from the abolition of the Chief Coroner, the long-term benefits are realised through non-implementation. It was anticipated to begin implementation from April 2012. The financial impact of full implementation of part one of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, which includes the post and office of the Chief Coroner, has been estimated at £10.9 million in set-up costs and £6.6 million in running costs. Therefore the intention is that the 'non-implementation' of the post and office of Chief Coroner before they are established will save this new expenditure in full.
	There are no estimated savings for changes to The National Archives, Advisory Council on Historical Manuscripts and Advisory Council on Public Records. The changes in function to The National Archives and its advisory councils proposed through the Public Bodies Bill contain no financial implications. The rationale for these reforms is to place The National Archives, its chief executive and its advisory bodies on a statutory footing, enabling the Government to legally complete the changes that began with the establishment of The National Archives as an administrative entity in 2003.
	Decisions have yet to be reached on reform/change of function of the following bodies and work is ongoing, consequently an estimate of savings is not yet available:
	HM Land Registry;
	Parole Board of England and Wales;
	Public Trustee.
	The merged Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office and Crown Prosecution Service is a non-ministerial department. Ministerial responsibility lies with the Attorney-General for England and Wales. The annual saving figure was £3.3 million by 2014-15.

Departmental Redundancy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many civil servants in his Department have been offered voluntary redundancy since April 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: As at 24 March 2011, five civil servants in my Department have been offered voluntary redundancy since 1 April 2010. This figure does not include civil servants who have been offered early departure under the Ministry's ongoing Voluntary Early Departure Scheme, which provides the same terms as Voluntary Redundancy under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.

Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many appeals against decisions made on applications for employment and support allowance from residents of  (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency and  (b) Greater London are outstanding.

Jonathan Djanogly: It is not possible to provide the information which the hon. Member has requested. The most recent period for which statistics on 'live' employment and support allowance appeals have been published was up to 31 January 2011. These did not include a breakdown by geographical area. However, the figure for the United Kingdom as a whole was 87,700 appeals.

Family Justice Review

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department's Family Justice Review will address disparities in the way courts deal with residency and access requests for mothers and fathers; and when he expects the Review to report.

Jonathan Djanogly: Where both parents have parental responsibility for their child they are equal before the law. There is no presumption by the court that one parent is a better parent than the other and the court is required to approach these sensitive and difficult matters in an impartial and unbiased manner. In making decisions about contact and other arrangements for children, all judges and holders of judicial office must ensure that their work is free from improper discrimination on any grounds, including gender. Rather, the Children Act 1989 requires that the best interests of the child must be paramount in any decision taken that will affect them.
	However, in order to ensure that children are able to have a meaningful relationship with both their parents following separation I have asked the Family Justice Review to examine how the positive involvement of both parents following separation should be supported. In particular, I have asked the panel to consider how contact with non-resident parents can be promoted where this is in the best interests of the child. The Family Justice Review will issue an interim report with recommendations for reform at the end of March and publish its final report in autumn this year.

Homicide: Convictions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many murder convictions have been secured under the common law doctrine on joint enterprise in each of the last 30 years.

Crispin Blunt: Data held on the Ministry of Justice court proceedings database do not specify whether court proceedings in murder cases were brought under joint enterprise.

Human Trafficking

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to announce his allocation of funding for the protection of adult victims of human trafficking.

Crispin Blunt: This Government have announced an allocation of up to £2 million per year for the next two years for the provision of support services for adult victims of human trafficking. This is joint funded by both the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office.

Judiciary

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the  (a) ethnic background and  (b) gender of the judiciary in each year from 1997 to 2010.

Kenneth Clarke: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Judges in post (excluding Tribunals) by women, and ethnic background, England and Wales, 1998 to 2010, as at 1 April 
			   Total number of judges  Women (percentage)  BAME (percentage) 
			 2010 3,598 20.6 4.8 
			 2009 3,602 19.4 4.5 
			 2008 3,820 19.0 4.0 
			 2007 3,545 18.7 3.5 
			 2006 3,774 18.0 3.8 
			 2005 3,794 16.9 2.9 
			 2004 3,675 15.8 2.5 
			 2003 3,656 14.9 2.2 
			 2002 3,545 14.5 2.0 
			 2001 3,535 14.1 1.9 
			 2000 3,441 12.7 2.0 
			 1999 3,312 11.2 1.7 
			 1998 3,174 10.3 1.6 
			  Source: Historical data from Judicial Office website and archived websites of the Department for Constitutional Affairs 
		
	
	We are only able to provide comparative data for this period for Courts based Judiciary.
	Since 2009, the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic figures were calculated as a percentage of those members of the judiciary who provided ethnicity data. Disclosure of ethnicity by judges is voluntary. Figures from 2009 onwards are not directly comparable with earlier years as the data has been widened to include four new types of judicial post. Accurate figures for 1997 are not available.
	http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/statistics/judges
	http://www.dca.gov.uk/dept/depstrat.htm

Judiciary: Equal Opportunities

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to ensure diversity in the judiciary.

Kenneth Clarke: The Government supports, in principle, the recommendations delivered by the Advisory Panel on Judicial Diversity in its February 2010 report. The recommendations seek to deliver speedier and sustained progress to a more diverse judiciary at every level and in all courts in England and Wales, without diminishing appointment on merit.
	My noble Friend, Lord McNally, is a member of the Judicial Diversity Taskforce established to oversee the delivery of the Panel's recommendations. The taskforce met on Monday 14 March to review what has been achieved to date, and will publish its report on progress shortly.

Lancaster Castle Prison: Drugs

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Counselling Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare drug treatment scheme for prisoners at HMP Lancaster Castle; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: There has been no assessment into the effectiveness of the counselling, assessment, referral, advice and throughcare (CARAT) services provided at HMP Lancaster Castle, however, effectiveness of CARATs as a whole is kept under review at a national level.
	The performance of individual prison establishments in delivering CARAT services against key performance targets is audited as part of the National Offender Management Service performance management system. In May 2010, when it was last audited against those targets, the CARATs at HMP Lancaster were found to have exceeded the required standard.

Land Registry: Fraud

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much compensation was paid by the Land Registry due to fraud in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10.

Jonathan Djanogly: The information is as follows:
	In 2008-09, Land Registry paid indemnity claims amounting to £10,058,945.39, of which £5,072,113.43 was for claims relating to fraud or forgery.
	In 2009-10, Land Registry paid indemnity claims amounting to £7,782,081.06, of which £4,947,650.06 was for claims relating to fraud or forgery.
	All figures include legal costs and interest.

Magistrates

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the  (a) ethnic background and  (b) gender of justices of the peace in each year from 1997 to 2010.

Jonathan Djanogly: The information held is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Percentage of serving justices of the peace by gender and ethnic background 
			  Valid at  Number of JPs  Male (%)  Female (%)  White (%)  Mixed (%)  Asian (%)  Black (%)  Chinese (%)  Other (%)  Unknown (%) 
			 1 January 1997 30,374 52.2 47.8 - - - - - - - 
			 1 May 1997 - - - 89.3 - 1.9 1.5 - 0.7 - 
			 1 January 1998 30,361 52.0 48.0 - - - - - - - 
			 1 January 1999 30,260 51.0 49.0 - - - - - - - 
			 1 January2000 30,308 51.0 49.0 - - - - - - - 
			 1 April 2001 28,735 51.0 49.0 94.6 - 3.2 1.3 - 0.8 - 
			 1 April 2002 24,526 50.7 49.3 - - - - - - - 
			 1 April 2003 28,344 50.8 49.2 - - - - - - - 
			 1 April 2004 28,029 50.6 49.4 93.47 - 3.26 2.17 - 0.83 0.27 
			 1 April 2005 28,300 50.4 49.6 93.3 - 3.4 2.2 - 0.9 0.3 
			 1 April 2006 28,865 50.3 49.7 92.78 0.02 3.36 2.25 0.13 0.94 0.52 
			 1 April 2007 29,816 50.3 49.7 93.0 0.4 2.3 3.7 0.2 0.5 0.1 
			 1 April 2008 29,419 49.9 50.1 92.7 0.4 2.4 3.8 0.2 0.5 0 
			 1 April 2009 29,270 49.4 50.6 92.4 0.5 2.5 3.9 0.2 0.5 0 
			 1 April 2010 28,607 49.2 50.8 92.3 0.5 2.5 3.9 0.2 0.5 0 
			  Notes: 1. '-' = The data are either no longer held or were never held because they were not recorded in that format at that time, eg the ethnic categories Mixed and Chinese were not used before 2006. 2. From 1997 to 2000 data were recorded on a calendar year basis. 3. From 2001 onwards data were recorded on a financial year basis. 4. The ethnic origin information at 1 May 1997 was taken from the results of a survey of magistrates (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster). Non returns amounted to 6.6%. 5. Data for 1 April 2002 do not include the Duchy of Lancaster. 6. Data shown up to and including 2003 has been taken from the Judicial Appointments and Judicial Statistics publications. 7. Data shown from 2004 onwards has been taken from a centrally held database within MoJ.

Prison Accommodation

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2011,  Official Report, column 553W, on prison accommodation, how many offenders held in a cell designed for one inmate shared it with  (a) one other inmate and  (b) two other inmates in each month of each year between 2001 and 2009.

Crispin Blunt: The number of offenders held in a cell designed for one inmate who shared with one other inmate in each month of each year between 2001 and 2009 are set out in the following table in the column headed 'doubling'.
	There are no data on cells designed for one inmate which are occupied by two or more inmates. There has been no recorded occurrence of this since March 1994. There is now a measure of 'trebling' which refers to cells designed for two which are occupied by three. Figures are not available prior to April 2002 and are shown from April 2002 to December 2009 in the table.
	
		
			   Doubling  Trebling 
			  2001   
			 January 11,165 (1)- 
			 February 11,457 (1)- 
			 March 11,487 (1)- 
			 April 11,293 (1)- 
			 May 11,814 (1)- 
			 June 11,290 (1)- 
			 July 12,052 (1)- 
			 August 11,704 (1)- 
			 September 12,270 (1)- 
			 October 12,488 (1)- 
			 November 12,143 (1)- 
			 December 11,829 (1)- 
			
			  2002   
			 January 12,602 (1)- 
			 February 13,332 (1)- 
			 March 13,401 (1)- 
			 April 14,446 60 
			 May 13,806 54 
			 June 14,762 321 
			 July 14,420 297 
			 August 14,418 324 
			 September 14,812 272 
			 October 15,112 351 
			 November 15,370 363 
			 December 13,726 305 
			
			  2003   
			 January 15,460 315 
			 February 15,667 312 
			 March 16,276 630 
			 April 16,031 1,338 
			 May 16,178 1,228 
			 June 16,681 1,329 
			 July 16,241 1,156 
			 August 15,771 1,263 
			 September 16,440 1,308 
			 October 16,306 1,273 
			 November 16,547 1,207 
			 December 15,577 1,169 
			
			  2004   
			 January 16,321 1,275 
			 February 16,492 1,212 
			 March 16,344 1,085 
			 April 17,417 1,011 
			 May 17,207 1,032 
			 June 16,568 934 
			 July 17,017 1,070 
			 August 17,169 1,096 
			 September 16,948 1,056 
			 October 17,049 1,034 
			 November 16,956 1,071 
			 December 16,004 1,010 
			
			  2005   
			 January 16,325 1,050 
			 February 16,906 1,158 
			 March 16,801 1,100 
			 April 16,839 995 
			 May 16,828 993 
			 June 16,673 1,058 
			 July 17,248 1,014 
			 August 17,043 1,002 
			 September 17,366 1,026 
			 October 17,406 1,038 
			 November 17,142 1,074 
			 December 15,868 975 
			
			  2006   
			 January 16,533 984 
			 February 16,800 976 
			 March 16,897 997 
			 April 16,892 1,026 
			 May 17,744 1,041 
			 June 17,775 1,074 
			 July 18,153 1,057 
			 August 17,948 1,045 
			 September 18,230 1,110 
			 October 18,563 1,074 
			 November 18,564 1,090 
			 December 18,463 1,056 
			
			  2007   
			 January 18,345 1,203 
			 February 18,761 1,145 
			 March 18,841 1,164 
			 April 18,391 1,161 
			 May 18,593 1,143 
			 June 18,797 1,119 
			 July 18,860 1,224 
			 August 19,150 1,186 
			 September 19,828 1,268 
			 October 19,671 909 
			 November 19,441 1,231 
			 December 18,302 984 
			
			  2008   
			 January 18,868 1,304 
			 February 19,478 1,207 
			 March 19,272 1,197 
			 April 19,743 1,263 
			 May 19,710 1,227 
			 June 19,682 1,230 
			 July 19,910 1,265 
			 August 19,477 1,270 
			 September 19,428 1,264 
			 October 19,434 1,266 
			 November 19,026 1,188 
			 December 17,912 1,131 
			  2009   
			 January 18,212 1,124 
			 February 18,504 1,131 
			 March 18,793 874 
			 April 18,702 993 
			 May 18,760 1,076 
			 June 18,914 1,154 
			 July 19,275 1,076 
			 August 19,725 1,198 
			 September 19,082 1,147 
			 October 19,404 1,131 
			 November 19,470 1,041 
			 December 18,602 952 
			 (1) Not available 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	Occupancy levels at individual prisons will vary according to the amount of capacity available overall, the number of prisoners and the way in which the prison population is managed.
	We will continue to keep capacity requirements under review against current headroom in the estate, expected prison population levels and the impact of wider developments such as the Government's Green Paper 'Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders'.

Prisoners

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the  (a) ethnic background and  (b) gender was of those serving custodial sentences in each year from 1997 to 2010.

Crispin Blunt: Available information on the ethnic and gender breakdown of the sentenced custodial population in England and Wales from 1997 to 2009 (latest available) can be found in Tables A and B.
	These figures are taken from published tables within the Statistical bulletins 'Prison Statistics, England and Wales' and the 'Offender Management Caseload Statistics, England and Wales', copies of which can be found in the Libraries of both Houses.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	
		
			  Table A: Population in prison establishments ( 1)  under an immediate custodial sentence by ethnic group( 2)  and sex, as at 30 June 1997-2002, and at 28 February 2003 
			  Number of persons 
			   June 1997  June 1998  June 1999  June 2000 
			   Males  Females  Total  Males  Females  Total  Males  Females  Total  Males  Females  Total 
			 Total 46,611 2,063 48,674 49,793 2,366 52,159 48,862 2,431 51,293 50,434 2,659 53,093 
			 White 38,611 1,542 40,153 41,130 1,778 42,908 40,154 1,790 41,944 41,502 1,995 43,497 
			 Black 5,415 419 5,834 5,775 452 6,227 5,726 503 6,229 5,903 519 6,422 
			 South Asian 1,373 19 1,392 1,555 26 1,581 1,495 26 1,521 1,453 29 1,482 
			 Chinese and Other 1,170 83 1,253 1,312 110 1,422 1,461 109 1,570 1,548 115 1,663 
			 Unrecorded 42 0 42 21 0 21 26 3 29 28 1 29 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of persons 
			   June 2001  June 2002  February 2003 
			   Males  Females  Total  Males  Females  Total  Males  Females  Total 
			 Total 51,272 2,897 54,169 53,936 3,336 57,272 54,886 3,304 58,190 
			 White 41,594 2,126 43,720 42,704 2,281 44,985 42,638 2,248 44,886 
			 Black 6,364 614 6,978 7,564 869 8,433 8,165 876 9,041 
			 South Asian 1,501 28 1,529 1,676 30 1,706 1,763 32 1,795 
			 Chinese and Other 1,768 126 1,894 1,940 153 2,093 2,244 147 2,391 
			 Unrecorded 44 2 46 53 3 56 77 1 78 
			 (1) Excludes police cells. (2) Ethnicity categories based on 1991 census codes.  Note: Data within this table are taken from the Home Office publication "Prison Statistics, England and Wales" 1997 to 2003. Table 6.4 refer.  Data Sources and Quality: These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: Population in prison establishments( 1) under an immediate custodial sentence by ethnic group( 2) and sex, as at 30 June 2004-09 
			  Number of persons 
			   June 2004  June 2005  June 2006 
			   Males  Females  Total  Males  Females  Total  Males  Females  Total 
			 Total n/a n/a n/a 58,703 3,476 62,179 59,898 3,506 63,404 
			 White n/a n/a n/a 45,254 2,477 47,731 45,393 2,499 47,892 
			 Mixed n/a n/a n/a 1,515 184 1,699 1,633 159 1,792 
			 Asian or Asian British n/a n/a n/a 3,279 81 3,360 3,651 86 3,737 
			 Black or Black British n/a n/a n/a 7,722 669 8,391 8,250 683 8,933 
			 Chinese or Other ethnic group n/a n/a n/a 524 46 570 540 50 590 
			 Not stated n/a n/a n/a 210 10 220 238 19 257 
			 Unrecorded n/a n/a n/a 34 2 36 52 11 63 
			 1991 Census ethnic codes n/a n/a n/a 166 7 173 142 0 142 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of persons 
			   June 2007  June 2008  June 2009 
			   Males  Females  Total  Males  Females  Total  Males  Females  Total 
			 Total 62,188 3,345 65,533 64,600 3,524 68,124 64,993 3,382 68,375 
			 White 46,902 2,365 49,267 48,245 2,533 50,778 48,657 2,469 51,126 
			 Mixed 1,792 143 1,935 2,024 137 2,161 2,151 135 2,286 
			 Asian or Asian British 3,845 82 3,927 4,259 97 4,356 4,432 99 4,531 
			 Black or Black British 8,645 669 9,314 8,949 657 9,606 8,817 597 9,414 
			 Chinese or Other ethnic group 614 70 684 730 88 818 726 74 800 
			 Not stated 245 9 254 264 10 274 133 8 141 
			 Unrecorded 42 1 43 34 0 34 11 0 11 
			 1991 Census ethnic codes 104 5 109 96 3 99 66 1 67 
			 n/a = Data not available for 2004. (1)Excludes police cells. (2)Ethnicity categories based on 2001 Census codes introduced in 2003.  Note: Data within this table are taken from the publication "Offender Management Caseload Statistics, England and Wales" 2005-09. Table 8.29 for years 2005 and 2006 and Table 7.23 for years 2007-09 refer.  Data Sources and Quality: These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisons: Mobile Phones

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners have authorised access to mobile telephones; and for how many hours per week such prisoners had such access on average in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 16 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 465-66W, which sets out the NOMS mobile phone strategy.
	Prisoners generally are not permitted access to mobile phones. It is a disciplinary offence under the Prison Rules 1999 for prisoners to possess an unauthorised item, and the Offender Management Act 2007 made it a criminal offence to convey mobile phones and associated equipment into or out of a prison, or to transmit sounds or images from within a prison, without authorisation. The Crime and Security Act 2010 will also make it an offence, with a penalty of up to two years' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine, to possess in a prison without authorisation a mobile phone or other device or component part that can receive or transmit images, sounds or information electronically. This provision is due to be introduced in the summer.
	There are limited exceptions where use of a mobile phone by a prisoner may be authorised, for example, to enable prisons to provide direct telephone access to the Samaritans national helpline number. For out-of-hours access, cordless phones are most commonly provided; however, where there are reception problems prisons will sometimes provide mobile phones, pre-programmed only to allow contact with the Samaritans. The number of phone calls made from pre-programmed mobile phones is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	In addition, prisoners who are released on temporary licence, for example to work outside a prison in either voluntary or paid employment may be permitted to take their personal mobile phone with them. The phones are stored in lockers at the prison gate when the prisoner is inside the establishment. Any prisoner taking their phone into the prison would be subject to disciplinary action. All prisoners released on temporary licence will have been risk assessed. No data are collected centrally on the extent to which this occurs and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Probation: Internet

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  if he will assess the merits of linking probation and prison IT systems with those of the police in England and Wales;
	(2)  what plans he has for the future of the National Offender Management Service's probation IT system;
	(3)  if he will assess the merits of establishing an integrated IT system for prisons and probation services in England and Wales.

Crispin Blunt: The C-NOMIS project, established in 2004, intended to provide a single interactive record of offenders across the prison and probation services. In 2007, it was stopped after it was identified that there was insufficient funding and in 2008, was replaced by the National Offender Management Information Systems (NOMIS) Programme.
	The NOMIS Programme comprises five IT-enabled business change projects:
	Prison-NOMIS, an improved, centralised prisons case management system now fully rolled out;
	Inmate information system update, improving functionality;
	Probation case management system (PCMS) will replace a variety of different systems with one centralised system for probation;
	A data share system (DSS) has been developed and will be implemented (as part of PCMS), enabling probation staff to access the core prisons information they need for effective offender management; and
	The offender assessment system-replacement (OASys-R) will provide an improved, shared system for offender assessment across both prison and probation services.
	The latter three projects will directly benefit the probation service. In addition, the Offender Management National Infrastructure-Transformation Programme is transforming the probation service's ICT infrastructure into a national, centralised system with better resilience, security and performance. This programme includes the consolidation of 42 area data centres into two national data centres.
	Although a single integrated system for the prisons and probation services will not be implemented (through the C-NOMIS project) the NOMIS Programme will deliver a reduction from 220 separate systems to three across both services. In addition, the NOMIS Programme is addressing data sharing enhancements, by providing the probation trusts with the ability to view core Prison-NOMIS offender information, through its DSS project and the OASys-R will enable both prisons and probation staff to share offender assessments. Furthermore, many police forces receive information relating to prisoners who are due to be released into their constabulary from Prison-NOMIS and the local inmate database system (the existing case management system used by privately operated prisons) via the prisoner intelligence notification system.
	In the longer term, the Ministry of Justice will ensure that technical standards for the development of systems to facilitate the creation of future database links are clear and that there is potential for future enhancements to build interoperability. The National Offender Management Service will also be examining, as part of the National Audit Office recommendations, whether the programme should achieve more joining-up. This examination will include considering more linkage with the police. The programme will ensure that this work is followed up with the Department's information and communications technology organisation, once the programme completes delivery in spring 2012.

Remembrance Day

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to  (a) make Remembrance Day poppy burning a hate crime and  (b) amend sentencing guidelines for those sentenced in respect of such actions.

Crispin Blunt: The Government understands the anger that poppy burning can cause. However, there is already appropriate legislation dealing with insulting, threatening or abusive behaviour likely to, or intended to, cause harassment, alarm or distress. Sentencing guidelines are a matter for the independent Sentencing Council, but custodial penalties are already available where the behaviour is intentionally directed at a person. It is also open to the court to increase a sentence on account of factors that the court deems to be aggravating in the particular case, even where those factors are not specifically set out in statute or guidelines.

Road Traffic Offences

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average fine levied on a person convicted of an offence under section  (a) 14(3) and  (b) 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988 was in the last six months. [R]

Crispin Blunt: The average fine imposed at all courts in England and Wales for offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988, sections 14 and 15, is given in the table for July to December 2009 (latest available). It is not possible to separately identify section 14(3) from other offences in sections 14 and 15.
	The table also includes a column headed "Median fine". Occasionally large fines handed down to companies or other organisations can have a misleading impact when using the mean to represent average fine amounts and therefore both average fine and median fine are given in the table.
	Section 41D gave authority to existing regulations, under the Road vehicles (Construction and use) Regulations 1986, to make certain offences endorsable. The average fine imposed at all courts for these offences are also given in the table.
	Court proceedings data for 2010 are planned for publication in spring, 2011.
	
		
			  Average fine( 1)  imposed at all courts for selected offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988( 2)  and Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, England and Wales, July to December 2009( 3) 
			  Statute  Offence description  Number of fines  Average fine (£)  Median fine (£) 
			 Road Traffic Act 1988-sections 14(1) (2) and (3), 15(1)(A) (2) and (4), and 15B Seat belt offences 1,440 81 60 
			 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986-R.110(1) Use of hand held mobile phone while driving 16,701 115 100 
			 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986-R.110(2) Causing or permitting the use of a mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle 3 * * 
			 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986-R.110(3) Using a mobile phone while supervising the holder of a provisional driving licence to drive a motor vehicle on the road 2 * * 
			 * = Figure suppressed as number too small to give meaningful average. (1) Based on the number of persons for whom the fine was the principle sentence for motoring offences heard at one court appearance. (2 )It is not possible to separately identify section 14(3) from other offences in sections 14 and 15. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice.

Sentencing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average cost was of  (a) a jury trial at the Crown Court for (i) either way offences sent by magistrates where their sentencing powers are not deemed sufficient, (ii) either way offences where the defendant has chosen to elect jury trial and (iii) indictable only offences and  (b) a trial by a justice of the peace in a magistrates court for (A) summary only offences and (B) either way offences in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: The estimated average cost of a jury trial at the Crown Court is £3,900 for either way offences sent by magistrates, £2,900 for either way offences where the defendant elects for jury trial, £8,100 for indictable only offences where there is a not guilty plea, and £700 for indictable only offences where there is a guilty plea.
	The estimated average cost of a trial at magistrates court is £300 for summary motoring offences, £900 for summary non-motoring offences, and £900 for either way offences.

Squatting

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has had discussions with representatives of police forces on the enforcement of the law to reduce instances of squatting.

Crispin Blunt: Ministry of Justice officials are in ongoing discussions with other interested Government Departments, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Crown Prosecution Service about the issue of squatting. We will continue to work closely with them as we develop proposals in this area.

Terrorism: Compensation

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to announce the outcome of his Department's review of Compensation for Victims of Overseas Terrorism.

Crispin Blunt: Previous proposals for compensating victims of terrorism overseas are being considered alongside a review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and wider victims' services. The outcome of this review will be announced in due course.

Young Offender Institutions: Mental Illness

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he plans to take other than through the Juvenile Awareness Staff Programme to support the provision of services to young people in young offender institutions who have complex  (a) mental health and  (b) substance misuse issues.

Crispin Blunt: As part of the spending review settlement, from April 2011 the Department of Health will take responsibility for the £6 million that the Ministry of Justice currently invests in young people's substance misuse interventions in the secure estate.
	The Department of Health already have responsibility for the provision of mental health services in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs), and have allocated an additional £1.6 million per year for 'tier 3' Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS) in YOIs to provide for those with complex mental health needs.
	The Ministry of Justice is working closely with the Department of Health to ensure that the changes to the NHS proposed in the Health and Social Care Bill will help to deliver improved commissioning of mental health, substance misuse and other health services in the youth secure estate and in the community.
	In addition, as set out in our Green Paper: "Breaking the Cycle", the Government are committed to intervening early and diverting young people with mental health and other problems from the criminal justice system where appropriate. The Department of Health and the Ministry Of Justice have committed to a nationwide rollout of diversion schemes by 2014.

Youth Justice Plan

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will place in the Library a copy of the Youth Justice Plan (Capability and Capacity Assessment) for each youth offending team for each of the last three years; and when he expects the Youth Justice Plan (Capability and Capacity Assessment) for 2011-12 to be finalised.

Crispin Blunt: Youth Justice plans and capability and capacity assessments are two separate reporting documents used by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and youth offending teams (YOTs).
	There are currently 157 YOTs in England and Wales who are required by statute to produce annual youth justice plans. For 2010-11, the YJB have so far received 98 plans which will be deposited in hard copy or on disc in the Libraries of the House by the end of April. The YJB is in contact with the remaining 59 YOTs to submit their plans before the end of the financial year. Those that are received will also be deposited by the end of April. The YJB does not hold plans for earlier years.
	Capability and capacity assessments are internal working documents for the YJB and YOTs and are not published. Disclosure of these documents could deter YOTs from discussing performance candidly with the YJB.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment her Department has made of the effect on demand of trends in the price of alcohol.

James Brokenshire: In January of this year the Home Office published a review of the evidence base on the likely impacts of increasing alcohol price. This complemented a Treasury report published in November 2010 which reviewed alcohol taxation. Both reports can be accessed on the Home Office website via:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/alcohol/alcohol-pricing/

Animal Experiments

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bristol East of 31 January 2011,  Official Report, columns 646-47W, on animal experiments, when she expects to make an announcement on the date for a ban on the testing of household products on animals; to which ingredients used in household products the ban will extend; and what definition of the term household product her Department uses.

Lynne Featherstone: There is no authoritative definition of "household product" in UK or European legislation. For the purposes of the proposed prohibition on testing of such products on animals we plan to apply the definition of "substances used in the household" used for reporting purposes in the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals published annually. This includes all products that are primarily intended for use in the home, including detergents and other laundry products, household cleaners, air-fresheners, toilet blocks, polishes, paper products such as infant nappies, paints, glues (and removers), other furnishing and DIY products and household pesticides. The prohibition will apply to both finished household products and their ingredients, although in practice mainly the latter are tested. We are working towards delivering the prohibition through the conditions of licences issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and will announce the outcome as soon as this work is complete.

Asylum: Community Relations

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ipswich of 15 March 2011,  Official Report, column 228W, on asylum: community relations, which other Government Departments will be represented on the working group on the integration needs of refugees; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the working group's terms of reference.

Damian Green: The Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Department for Business Innovation and Skills, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and Communities and Local Government will all be represented on the working group. A copy of the terms of reference will be placed in the House once these are finalised and agreed.

Asylum: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department paid in One Stop Service funding to  (a) the Refugee Council,  (b) the Scottish Refugee Council,  (c) the Welsh Refugee Council,  (d) Refugee Action and  (e) Migrant Helpline in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The amount of funding provided to these organisations for the One Stop Service is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   One Stop Service-Funding 2006 - 11 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Refugee Council 3.7 4.1 5.5 5.5 5.2 
			 Scottish Refugee Council 0.8 0.8 1.1 1.1 1.1 
			 Welsh Refugee Council 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.9 
			 Refugee Action 2.6 2.7 3.0 3.1 2.9 
			 Migrant Helpline 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 
			  Note: Figures for 2010-11 are derived from the Agency budget. All other figures are derived from the Agency's audited annual accounts (or the annual accounts of the Home Office for 2006-07 and 2007-08).

Asylum: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department paid in Initial Accommodation Wrap-around Service funding to  (a) the Refugee Council,  (b) the Scottish Refugee Council,  (c) the Welsh Refugee Council,  (d) Refugee Action and  (e) Migrant Helpline in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The amount of funding provided to these organisations is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Funding for wrap-around service 2006-11 
			  £ million 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Refugee Council 2.5 3.2 2.0 2.0 1.5 
			 Scottish Refugee Council 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.5 
			 Welsh Refugee Council 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 
			 Refugee Action 1.0 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.8 
			 Migrant Helpline 3.8 3.1 0.9 0.9 0.9

Asylum: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department paid to the Refugee Council under the grant agreement for services provided by the Refugee Council Children's Panel in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The amount of funding provided to the Funding for the Refugee Council's children's panel is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Funding for the Refugee Council's children's panel 
			   £ million 
			 2006-07 1.3 
			 2007-08 1.3 
			 2008-09 1.3 
			 2009-10 1.1 
			 2010-11 0.8 
			  Note: Figures for 2010-11 are derived from the Agency budget. All other figures are derived from the Agency's audited annual accounts (or the annual accounts of the Home Office for 2006-07 and 2007-08).

Asylum: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department paid in strategic funding to  (a) the Refugee Council,  (b) the Scottish Refugee Council and  (c) the Welsh Refugee Council in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The amount of funding provided to these organisations is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Strategic funding provided to voluntary sector organisations, 2006-11 
			  £ million 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Refugee Council 2.7 2.8 1.5 1.5 1.3 
			 Scottish Refugee Council 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 Welsh Refugee Council 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			  Notes: 1. Strategic funding was introduced in 2008-09. Figures for 2006-07 and 2007-08 are for core funding. 2. Figures for 2010-11 are derived from the agency budget. All other figures are derived from the agency's audited annual accounts (or the annual accounts of the Home Office for 2006-07 and 2007-08).

Criminal Records

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to use funds available through the EU criminal justice programme for the purposes of building a European criminal records information system.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 21 March 2011
	The final technical specifications for the European criminal records information system (ECRIS) have not yet been issued by the European Commission. Once the technical specifications have been issued we will consider whether to make a bid for EU funding. The UK has made a successful bid for funding to implement the Network of Judicial Registers project whose work will form a significant part of the ECRIS project.
	ECRIS is a decentralised information technology system providing for the electronic exchange of information held in each member state's criminal records database. It is not a centralised criminal records database.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visa applications her Department received from students wishing to enter higher education in the UK in each year since 2001; and how many such applications were  (a) approved and  (b) rejected.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency holds statistics for applications to study in the UK from 2004 only which are detailed in the following table:
	
		
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010 
			 Applications 286,230 283,835 313,210 317,564 312,611 385,218 323,162 
			 Issued 187,621 194,349 217,934 223,589 208,796 273,394 254,058 
			 Refused 88,139 84,364 89,801 92,871 92,365 93,457 77,753 
		
	
	The statistics provided are for all main applicants under the student and tier 4 of the points based system.
	The UK Border Agency does not hold central data on the number of applicants who intend to study at higher education and these figures could be only obtained by examining individual applications at disproportionate cost.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role she expects universities to have in determining whether language requirements under the new overseas students visa regime are being met; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: We will be making changes to the immigration rules so that international students coming to study at degree level and above are required to be proficient in English level B2 on the Council of Europe Framework of Reference. Students attending institutions other than universities will be required to pass a secure English language test. For university students, we will allow the sponsoring university to certify that the student meets the English language requirement.

Forensic Science

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forensic laboratories were in operation in the last period for which figures are available; and how many such laboratories were professionally accredited.

James Brokenshire: There are 41 fingerprint enhancement labs (FEL) in England and Wales, and there are currently two shared labs (Cleveland and Durham, and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire). The Association of Chief Police Officers Forensic Science Portfolio Lead, chief constable Chris Sims, has set a requirement for all English and Welsh police FELs to be accredited to ISO 17025 by November 2015, in line with the mandatory EU framework decision. The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) is currently undertaking work with forces to support them in achieving this.
	In addition to fingerprint analysis, which has traditionally been conducted by forces, a number of forces also have facilities for other forensic functions. Complete data on non FEL forensics activity in forces are not currently held centrally, but the NPIA will shortly be undertaking a survey of English and Welsh forces to establish their ISO 17025 implementation plans. The Metropolitan police service has a laboratory accredited to ISO 17025 for trace evidence recovery and is working towards accreditation to the same standard for the examination of firearms and ammunition. A number of forces, including Derbyshire, Cheshire, west midlands, greater Manchester and Lancashire, are also working through the accreditation process for ISO 17025 for a range of forensics capabilities.

Human Trafficking: Northern Ireland

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate her Department has made of the number of  (a) confirmed and  (b) suspected cases of trafficking of children of each (i) gender and (ii) age group in or through each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

Damian Green: The National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which is the UK's Government-led, multi-agency framework to help identify and support victims, started operating on 1 April 2009. Comparable estimates are not available prior to this date.
	Since 1 April 2009 eight children have been referred to the NRM by First Responders in Northern Ireland. The breakdown of NRM decisions is as follows:
	
		
			  Outcome 
			   Number 
			 Not trafficked 4 
			 Trafficked 1 
			 Missing 1 
			 Decision pending 1 
			 Withdrawn 1 
			 Total 8 
		
	
	"Missing" cases are where the child has either absconded or is missing prior to the trafficking decision being made.
	"Withdrawn" cases are where the child exits the system prior to the trafficking decision being made for example where they leave the UK.
	The gender and age groups of the eight children are as follows:
	
		
			  Gender 
			   Number 
			 Male 1 
			 Female 7 
			 Total 8 
		
	
	
		
			  Age 
			   Number 
			 12-15 years 4 
			 16-17 years 4 
			 Total 8 
		
	
	We do not hold a breakdown of NRM referrals by parliamentary constituency.

Human Trafficking: Northern Ireland

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many national referral mechanism reports have been made on children in Northern Ireland; and how many people have been recognised as victims of trafficking as a result of such reports.

Damian Green: UK-wide national referral mechanism (NRM) statistical reports are published quarterly and can be found on the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) website at:
	www.soca.gov.uk/about-soca/about-the-ukhtc/statistical-data
	Since 1 April 2009 eight children have been referred to the NRM by First Responders in Northern Ireland. One child has been conclusively identified as a victim of trafficking for the purposes of the Council of Europe convention on action against trafficking in human beings, four children have been found not to be victims of trafficking, in one case the child has gone missing, in another case the decision is pending and the remaining case was withdrawn.

Immigrants: Crimes against Humanity

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people identified as having been actively engaged in the activities at the Trawniki concentration camp in Poland between 1939 and 1944 and now reside in the UK are known to her Department.

Damian Green: For reasons of confidentiality, the Home Office does not routinely comment on individual cases.

Immigrants: Crimes against Humanity

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will use her powers under section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981 to ensure early deprivation of British citizenship in cases where it is beyond reasonable doubt that individuals have previously engaged in crimes against humanity.

Damian Green: Wherever it is considered conducive to the public good to do so, or where it is in accord with the policy for depriving individuals of their British citizenship on the basis that the individuals obtained British citizenship as a result of fraud, false representation or concealment of material fact, action will be taken to remove the British citizenship of individuals who have engaged in crimes against humanity.

Immigration: Married People

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to extend the probationary period of settlement for spouses beyond two years.

Damian Green: The Government will be looking at the issue of the probationary period of settlement for spouses in the context of a wider consultation on family migration later this year. This will include proposals to tackle sham marriages and other abuse, promote integration and reduce burdens on the UK taxpayer.

Knives

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal knives each police force seized or otherwise received in each year since 2007.

James Brokenshire: The information requested is not collected centrally by the Home Office.

Police: Forensic Science

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of police force budgets on average was spent on obtaining forensic science services from external providers in each of the last three years; and whether she plans to issue guidance to police authorities on the proportion of police force budgets to be allocated to such services from external providers under the future system for procurement of forensic science services.

James Brokenshire: Information collected from forces by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) shows that police force forensic spend as a percentage of budget requirement was 1.24% and 1.20% for the years 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively. The CIPFA data for 2007-08 do not provide figures for forensic spend.
	National Police Improvement Agency advise that the CIPFA spend categorisation is likely to slightly under-report the total expenditure, and market analysis has suggested a higher percentage for 2009-10 equivalent to around 1.45%.
	Decisions are still to be taken as to the future of police procurement of forensic science services; the Home Office is working closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers and forces to ensure continuity of service to the CJS throughout the transition process.

UK Border Agency

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with which Government Departments the UK Border Agency has a memorandum of understanding for the sharing of information.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency has formal data sharing memorandums of understanding with the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Customs and Revenue and the Ministry of Defence.

TRANSPORT

Commission for Integrated Transport: Finance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the budget for Commission for Integrated Transport  (a) was in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11 and  (b) will be for (A) 2011-12, (B) 2012-13, (C) 2013-14 and (D) 2014-15.

Norman Baker: The budget for the Commission for Integrated Transport  (a) was:
	(i) £994,000 in 2009-10; and,
	(ii) £321,000 in 2010-11.
	 (b) There will be no budget for the Commission from 2011-12, due to its abolition announced on 14 October 2010.

Cycling England

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what  (a) costs will be incurred and (b) savings will be made from abolishing Cycling England in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 and (v) 2014-15.

Norman Baker: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 9 March 2011,  Official Report , column 1099W, which answers her point as to the cost of abolishing Cycling England at the end of March 2011.
	Regarding savings to be made, the costs of Cycling England as a body have been approximately £385,000 per annum, taking into account staff salaries, an honorarium for the chairman, travel and subsistence and the Cycling England press office/media support unit. Some of these costs (staffing and promotion activity) will be absorbed into Department for Transport running costs.
	Financial reasons were not the primary factor in the decision to abolish Cycling England.

Departmental Assets

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether receipts from the sale of assets owned by regional development agencies are reflected in the spending plans of his Department for  (a) 2012-13 and  (b) 2013-14.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not provide funding to the regional development agencies, and would not be due any receipts from the sale of their assets. Therefore no receipts of this kind have been reflected in the Department's spending plans in any year.

Departmental Food

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects his Department to meet the Government's commitment to source food that meets British or equivalent standards of production.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport expects to meet the Government's commitment to source food that meets British or equivalent standards of production as follows:
	
		
			  Agency  Date of expected compliance 
			 DFT (central Department) Already complies: DFTc already complies with the Government's commitment to source food that meets British (or equivalent) standards of production 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Already complies: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency already complies with the Government's commitment to source food that meets British or equivalent standards of production 
			 Driving Standards Agency (DSA) August 2011: DSA's contract with Sodexo ends in August 2011 and developing new requirements at this stage may be considered too onerous for their supplier to adopt at no additional charge. The total facilities management project board have noted the requirement and will include this in the mobilisation plan with the new supplier 
			 Highways Agency (HA) The Highways Agency (HA) procures food via its current two facilities management (FM) contracts. Although there is requirement to provide variety and healthy options, they do not specify sourcing or farm production standards under the current contract terms. It is now planned to incorporate an appropriate change to these terms as part of contract renewal processes which will need to be effective from February 2014 
		
	
	No other Department for Transport agencies have contracts for the procurement of food.

Departmental Manpower

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the change in the numbers of staff in  (a) his Department and  (b) each of the non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 and (v) 2014-15.

Norman Baker: Estimates for the change in full time equivalent staff numbers (FTEs) in the Department through to 2014-15 is as follows:
	
		
			   2010-11  2011-12  2012-13  2013-14  2014-15 
			   Decrease by: 
			 DfT 389 492 327 313 314 
			 Number of the above total from the central Department 243 114 36 36 50 
			  Note: All numbers are estimates. 
		
	
	Estimates for the changes in numbers of staff FTEs in the Department's non-departmental public bodies are as follows:
	
		
			   2010-11  2011-12  2012-13  2013-14  2014-15 
			 Renewable Fuels Agency - Decrease by: 2 Decrease by: 3 - - 
			 British Transport Police Authority No current estimate 
			 Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee DPTAC has no direct employees 
			 Directly Operated Railways Ltd. No current estimate 
			 High Speed 2 No current estimate 
			 Northern Lighthouse Board Decrease by: 0.6 Decrease by: 8.3 Decrease by: 3 Decrease by: 2.1 - 
			 Railway Heritage Committee The Railway Heritage Committee has no direct employees 
			 Traffic Commissioners and Deputy Traffic Commissioners No current estimate 
			 Trinity House Lighthouse Service - Decrease by: 4 Decrease by: 5 Decrease by: 12 Decrease by: 10 
			 Passenger Focus Staff numbers will be determined once reform plans have been agreed 
			 Cycling England Cycling England has no direct employees 
			  Note: All numbers are estimates.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on  (a) salaries and  (b) pension entitlements for special advisers in the financial year 2010-11 to date.

Norman Baker: There are two special advisers at the Department for Transport. The estimated pay bill for the period 12 May 2010 to 31 March 2011 is £4.9 million for all Government special advisers. This includes salaries and pension costs.
	Details of the pension arrangements are set out in the model contract for special advisers.

Departmental Procurement

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many procurement projects with a monetary value greater than  (a) £10 million,  (b) £50 million and  (c) £100 million (i) his Department and (ii) each non-departmental public body and agency for which he is responsible was engaged in the latest period for which figures are available.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport response is as follows:
	 (i)  DFT(c)
	
		
			  DFT(c) 
			  Value  2009-10  2010-11 
			  (a) £10 million to £49,999 million (1)8 1 
			  (b) £50 million to £99,999 million (2)1 - 
			  (c) Over £100 million (3)7 2 
			 (1) DFT(c) continued to engage on seven of these projects in 2010-11. (2) DFT(c) continued to engage on this project in 2010-11. (3) DFT(c) continued to engage on 6 of these projects in 2010-11. 
		
	
	 (ii) Agencies
	 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DCLA)
	The following is a record of the contracts the DVLA was engaged in during the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 financial years:
	 (a) £10 million plus-4 contracts
	 (b) £50 million plus-4 contracts
	 (c) £100 million plus-3 contracts
	This information is representative of both years, as the DVLA did not enter into any additional contracts during the 2010-11 financial year.
	 Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
	The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has not engaged upon any procurement projects with a monetary value greater than £10 million in 2009-10.
	During 2010-11, DSA is facilitating the tender exercise for a total facilities management contract principally for DSA, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. The estimated value is £3 million per annum over a maximum of six years (£18 million in total).
	 Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA)
	Nil
	 Highways Agency (HA)
	
		
			  Highways Agency (HA) 
			   Awarded  
			  Value (excluding VAT)  2009-10  2010-11  Currently in preparation 
			  (a) £10 million to £49,999 million 16 2 5 
			  (b) £50 million to £99,999 million 3 1 2 
			  (c) £100 million plus 8 0 7 
		
	
	 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
	Nil
	 Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
	Nil
	 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)
	Nil
	 (ii) Non-departmental public bodies
	 British Transport Police Authority
	2010-11:  (a) 1 over £10 million
	 Cycling England
	Nil
	 High Speed 2
	Nil
	 Directly Operated Railways
	Nil
	 Northern Lighthouse Board
	The Northern Lighthouse Board has not been engaged upon any procurement projects with a monetary value greater than  (a) £10 million,  (b) £50 million and  (c) £100 million for the financial years 2009-10 or 2010-11.
	 Passenger Focus
	Nil
	 Railway Heritage
	Nil
	 Renewable Fuels Agency
	Nil
	 Trinity House
	Nil

Departmental Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations his Department introduced between 9 and 28 February 2011.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport introduced four regulations which came into force between 9 and 28 February 2011 and these are listed in the following table.
	
		
			  DFT regulations introduced between 9 and 28 February 2011 
			  Title  Ref No.  In force  Explanatory notes 
			 The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-lnteroperable Rail System) (London Underground Metropolitan Line S8 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2011 2011 No. 70 14 February 2011 The rail vehicle accessibility regulations require that manual boarding devices should be fitted when the gap between a station platform and the edge of a wheelchair compatible doorway on a regulated vehicle exceeds certain specified dimensions. Earlier this year SI 435/2010 exempted certain specified vehicles in the London Underground (LU) S8 fleet of vehicles on the Metropolitan line from this requirement with vehicle numbers and station platforms clearly specified in the order. The SI now being prepared would simply add a further six platforms to the ones specified in SI 435/2010 and the SI is being progressed through Parliament under the negative resolution procedure. 
			 The Cobham Motorway Service Area Trunk Road Order 2011 2011 No. 247 23 February 2011 This Order enables the temporary carriageway, to be constructed to the south of the M25 motorway, at Downside near Cobham in Surrey, to be designated as a motorway for the duration of the works. 
			 The M25 Motorway (Cobham Motorway Service Area Temporary Special Road) Scheme 2011 2011 No. 248 23 February 2011 This order creates a special road scheme to enable the temporary carriageway being constructed to the south of the M25 motorway, at Downside near Cobham in Surrey, to become a motorway. 
			 The Cobham Motorway Service Area Trunk Road (Connecting Roads) Order 2011 2011 No. 249 23 February 2011 This order enables slip roads to be constructed to connect the M25 motorway to the Cobham motorway service area at downside near Cobham in the county of Surrey.

Departmental Squatting

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many buildings on his Department's estate were occupied by squatters in each year between 2006 and 2010; and on how many occasions his Department sought interim possession orders to remove squatters from such buildings in each of those years.

Norman Baker: There were no reported instances of Department for Transport buildings being occupied by squatters in this period.

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what  (a) costs will be incurred and  (b) savings will be made from abolishing the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 and (v) 2014-15.

Norman Baker: We will be taking forward a consultative process on successor arrangements in the coming months and as such it is not possible to determine likely costs or savings until successor arrangements have been finalised. For the purposes of the Cabinet Office-led process to assess the financial impacts of public bodies reform (the results of which were set out in the related written ministerial statement of 16 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 9-10WS), we assumed administrative savings of around one-third by 2014-15, against the 2010-11 baseline of £496,000, for the successor arrangements to the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC).
	Financial reasons were not the primary factor in the decision to abolish DPTAC.

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what residual functions will remain following the abolition of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee; which organisations will carry out each such function; what the estimated costs of each such function are; and what transfer of funds will be made to each organisation to carry out each such function.

Norman Baker: No decision on successor arrangements has yet been taken. We will be taking forward a consultative process on successor arrangements in the coming months. It is not possible to determine likely costs or savings until successor arrangements have been finalised. For the purposes of the Cabinet Office-led process to assess the financial impacts of public bodies reform (the results of which were set out in the related written ministerial statement of 16 March 2001,  Official Report, columns 9-10WS), we assumed administrative savings of around one-third by 2014-15, against the 2010-11 baseline of £496,000, for the successor arrangements to the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC).
	Financial reasons were not the primary factor in the decision to abolish DPTAC.

Driving Instruction: Qualifications

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the merits of introducing quotas for part 3 of the Approved Driving Instructors test.

Michael Penning: The Driving Standards Agency does not operate a quota system in relation to any of the tests it delivers-it would not be appropriate to do so. All candidates, including those seeking to qualify as an approved driving instructor, are successful or unsuccessful based upon their performance during the test against the set assessment criteria, which are publicly available.

Driving Instruction: Qualifications

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will conduct an investigation into the causes of recent trends in pass rates over the course of a year for part 3 of the Approved Driving Instructors test.

Michael Penning: We have no plans to conduct an investigation on this specific point-there has been no discernable trend in recent months.
	The Driving Standards Agency, which is responsible for regulating professional driving instructors, has been holding discussions with interested parties about possible improvements to the initial approved driving instructors (ADI) qualification and standards maintenance arrangements for the occupation.
	The following table sets out the national pass rate over the course of 2010.
	
		
			  2010  Number of ADI part 3 tests  Pass rate for the ADI part 3 (Percentage) 
			 January 711 33.6 
			 February 1,228 31.5 
			 March 1,348 31.1 
			 April 1,132 32.2 
			 May 1,188 33.6 
			 June 1,243 31.9 
			 July 1,115 35.7 
			 August 1,007 33.3 
			 September 1,167 33.1 
			 October 1,035 34.5 
			 November 1,058 32.5 
			 December 529 37.6 
		
	
	The annual national pass rate for the part 3, ADI test of instructional ability, in 2009-10 was 34%. The annual national pass rate for 2010-11 will be published in due course.

Driving Tests: Scotland

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which driving test centres in Scotland have been nominated for closure by the Driving Standards Agency.

Michael Penning: The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) estate is continually being reviewed to maximise the service provision while maintaining efficiency.
	There are two driving test centres (DTC) in Scotland planned for closure during the rest of 2011. These are:
	Kilmarnock
	Saltcoats.
	The testing provision at both DTCs will be absorbed by the new test centre at Irvine which is about eight miles from each.
	The Agency is also being required to vacate Dumbarton DTC, as its Memorandum of Terms of Occupation was cancelled by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Testing will continue in the town from a new location, which has been identified and terms are currently being negotiated.
	If closure of a test centre is required for any reason, such as in Dunbarton, the Agency will seek to ensure the continuation of test provision where appropriate.

Falmouth Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the re-instatement costs of closing the Falmouth Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre if it is not transformed into a sub-centre under the proposed operating model.

Michael Penning: The current proposals for the modernisation of HM Coastguard do not involve disposing of the building in Falmouth where the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre is located.
	When the Maritime and Coastguard Agency disposes of properties which are Crown buildings on leased land it undertakes negotiations with the landowner about their requirements. Until any such discussions are concluded, the cost of re-instatement, if applicable, cannot be estimated.

Galileo System: Expenditure

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of providing funding to the Galileo project from its inception to its projected completion date.

Theresa Villiers: The Galileo programmes development stage took place between 2000 and 2007, and was funded through contributions by member states of the European Space Agency (ESA). The UK's contribution to the approximately €1.5 billion (£1.29 billion at February 2011 prices) budget funded this way was €240.3 million (£206.2 million).
	In 2007, member states and the European Commission agreed a budget of €3.4 billion (£2.93 billion) of EU funds to complete the programme. As a rough indication, the UK's pre-abatement contribution to the 2010 EU budget is currently estimated at 14%.
	On 18 January 2011, the Commission published its mid-term review of the Galileo programme, which stated that the programme could not be completed within the €3.4 billion budget.
	The Commission estimate that completing the programme as it was originally envisaged would require a further €1.9 billion (£1.64 billion) in the next financial perspective. The mid-term review is not a formal legal proposal for this funding.
	The UK believes that rather than increasing the budget, the Commission should look at ways of reducing the scope of the programme to a level that can be achieved within the current budget.
	The Commission is currently undertaking a cost analysis of the system which will investigate the options for reducing costs on the system. A formal proposal for further funding to complete Galileo will not be made before the cost analysis is complete. It is not possible to estimate the final cost of completing the system until a formal proposal is made.
	The mid term review also indicated that the operational costs of the full system would be €800 million (£668.7 million) per annum. The operational costs will need to be met from 2014, but these are expected to be less than €800 million estimate to reflect the size of the constellation available at that time.
	UK companies have been successful in competing for contracts to build parts of the Galileo system. Since the programme's inception, contracts worth at least €556 million (£478.7 million) have been won by UK companies. This figure is expected to rise as the full Galileo budget is yet to be committed.

Great Western Railway

Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the time taken to make stops at intermediary stations on the Great Western Main Line of the introduction of the Intercity Express Programme fleet.

Theresa Villiers: Because of the superior acceleration of Intercity Express trains, along with the fitment of fast-operating automatic doors, the time taken to insert a station call will fall from around six minutes to four minutes, by comparison with a non-stop train. The exact acceleration depends on the prevailing line speed and typical passenger demand at any specific station.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the net number of jobs that will created by the High Speed 2 project; over what time period such jobs will be created; and where such jobs will be located.

Philip Hammond: holding answer 22 March 2011
	Information on the numbers, locations and timing of jobs supported by the initial London to west midlands phase of the Government's proposed high speed rail network have been published as part of the current consultation on high speed rail. In particular I refer the hon. Member to the main consultation document and to Appendix 3 to the Appraisal of Sustainability, available at:
	http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/consultation-document
	and
	http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/appraisal-sustainability
	respectively.

Large Goods Vehicles: Accidents

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were  (a) killed and  (b) injured as a result of an accident involving a foreign registered heavy goods vehicle in each of the last five years; and in how many such accidents a blind spot in the off-side mirror of the vehicle was found to be a causal factor.

Michael Penning: holding answer 18 March 2011
	 The number of reported casualties in accidents involving foreign registered heavy goods vehicles in each of last five years for which data are available is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Reported casualties in accidents involving foreign registered heavy goods vehicles: GB 2005 to 2009 
			  Casualties 
			   Killed  Injured 
			 2005 33 1,507 
			 2006 44 1,322 
			 2007 31 1,244 
			 2008 35 1,172 
			 2009 21 986 
		
	
	It is not possible to identify accidents where a blind spot in the off- side mirror of the vehicle was found to be a causal factor.
	However, the number of accidents involving foreign registered heavy goods vehicles where the contributory factor "vehicle blind spot" was assigned to the foreign HGV by police officer attending the scene of the accident is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Reported accidents( 1)  involving a foreign heavy goods vehicles where contributory factor "vehicle blind spot" was assigned to the foreign  HGV : GB 2005 to 2009 
			  Accidents   
			   Fatal  Injury 
			 2005 0 297 
			 2006 1 263 
			 2007 2 194 
			 2008 1 191 
			 2009 1 212 
			 (1 )1ncludes only accidents where a police officer attended the scene and in which a contributory factor was reported. 
		
	
	Data for 2010 will be published in summer 2011.

London Midland: Finance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what budget headings the subsidy for London Midland train operating company was spent in the latest period for which figures are available.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 24 March 2011
	 The budget for London Midland is part of programme spend under departmental expenditure limits (DEL).
	The specific heading is titled Support for Passenger Rail Service (SPRS) and includes network grant paid through the train operating companies (TOCs)
	TOC periodic subsidy payments are not published as some elements are paid on account to reflect estimated value of work/services discharged to date.
	Annual spend is published after year end and all outstanding issues concluded to ensure accurate values are provided to the public.

London Midland: Tickets

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has had discussions with London Midland on its plans to close ticket offices.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 24 March 2011
	No specific discussions have occurred with London Midland about the plans to close ticket offices.
	London Midland has served notice to stakeholders, including the Department of Transport, on the proposed changes to ticket office hours.

London Transport: Finance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to reduce the London transport grant revenue budget; how much each action he plans to take will save; and how much will be saved by each such action in each financial year of the comprehensive spending review period;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to reduce the general Transport for London revenue budget; how much each action he plans to take will save; and how much will be saved by each such action in each financial year of the comprehensive spending review period;
	(3)  how much funding he has allocated to the capital budget for London transport grants in 2014-15;
	(4)  what steps he is taking to reduce the London transport grants capital budget; how much each action he plans to take will save; and how much will be saved by each such action in each financial year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Theresa Villiers: The Secretary of State for Transport has published details of the amount of revenue and capital grant the Government intend to pay Transport for London over the period 2011-12 to 2014-15 in his letter to the Mayor of London dated 20 October 2010. This letter is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/letters/tflfunding/pdf/sosletter.pdf

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce the vehicle excise duty collection and enforcement revenue budget; how much each action he plans to take will save; and how much will be saved by each such action in each financial year of the comprehensive spending review period.

Michael Penning: The core Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) proposals over the comprehensive spending review period revolve around restructuring of services: further channel shift to e-transactions; policy changes; streamlining and automating transaction handling; and incentivising suppliers to achieve procurement savings.
	The final make up of the proposals is still being discussed but we envisage that they will provide £100 million savings annually by the end of 2014-15 compared to the 2010-11 baseline.
	As part of these savings, the planned vehicle excise duty collection and enforcement revenue budget will increase by £1.1 million in 2011-12 and then reduce by £5 million in 2012-13, by £4.2 million in 2013-14 and by £8.2 million in 2014-15.
	DVLA continues to look at further savings which could be achieved while maintaining the current, very high compliance rate of 99.1% of VED collected. Each further action proposed will be evaluated against the risk of greater VED evasion.

Motor Vehicles: Licensing

Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are in place to ensure that vehicles entering the UK comply with the legal requirement to register with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency within six months.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport operates a strategy of education, warning and then direct enforcement action to help tackle non-compliant unlicensed foreign vehicles. This approach includes presentations to community leaders, articles in the media, the issue of information leaflets and warning notices placed on vehicles' windscreens. If there is evidence that a foreign vehicle is in breach of the rules, it can be clamped and impounded.

Network Rail: Electrification

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment  (a) his Department and  (b) Network Rail undertakes of the local economic benefits of rail electrification projects.

Theresa Villiers: The assessment made by the Department for Transport and Network Rail is done in accordance with the standards laid down by Treasury guidance in "The Green Book-Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government".

Network Rail: Electrification

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice his Department received from Network Rail on electrification of the Ebbw Valley Line.

Theresa Villiers: The Network Route Utilisation Strategy on Electrification, published by Network Rail in October 2009, advises the Department on the strategy for electrification of the railway. The Ebbw Valley Line was considered in this context.

Olympic Games 2012: Transport

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of traffic orders needed to assist in regulating traffic to implement the Olympic Transport Plan in each London borough; and if he will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 23 March 2011
	Transport for London is leading on delivery of transport operations in the capital during the 2012 Games. It is working closely with borough local traffic authorities and other stakeholders on the development and implementation through traffic regulation orders of a co-ordinated programme of temporary measures to meet the needs of those working, competing at and attending events during this period, while keeping London moving. Informal consultation with local businesses and residents on the detail of those measures, including public exhibitions, began in February.

Ports

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the rate of return on the Government's capital in each trust port.

Michael Penning: Each trust port in England and Wales is an independent statutory body controlled by its own board. The Government do not own any trust port nor does it hold capital in any trust port.

Railways: Advertising

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of  (a) potential opportunities for income generation from advertising on passenger rail services and  (b) mechanisms available under franchises to enable income from such advertising to be used to reduce rail fares charged by train operating companies.

Theresa Villiers: Advertising revenue, like other revenues, is reflected in the premium or subsidy that franchisees bid and pay to Government. The Government place significant controls on the level of fares that are charged for a large proportion of journeys through fares regulation, including most commuter journeys. Other fares are set at the commercial level by the train operator. There are no plans to change this regulatory approach by introducing a direct or indirect link to advertising revenue.

Railways: Birmingham

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is considering proposals for the connection of Birmingham, Curzon Street station with  (a) Birmingham, New Street,  (b) Birmingham, Snow Hill and  (c) Birmingham, Moor Hill station by passenger rail services.

Theresa Villiers: The proposed re-use of Birmingham Curzon street station is currently included in the High Speed 2 public consultation. Any decisions about future services connecting Curzon street to other Birmingham stations will be for Birmingham city council and Centra and will be made at an appropriate point after the consultation has closed and when service plans are more advanced.

Railways: Construction

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to his Department's estimate of the cost of High Speed 2 over a 60 year period, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of High Speed 2 over that period.

Philip Hammond: HS2 Ltd's assessment of the costs to Government of the proposed Y-shaped high speed rail network, as well as of the initial London-West Midlands phase, are set out in the "Economic Case for HS2", available on the HS2 consultation website at:
	http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/economic-case
	In both cases, this assessment shows that annual operating costs would be more than offset by estimated revenues.
	A broad estimate of the profile of expenditure during the construction period for an initial London-West Midlands high speed line was provided in HS2 Ltd's original report to Government, "High Speed Rail: London to the West Midlands and Beyond", which can be accessed at:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/hs2ltd/hs2report/

Railways: Franchises

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid to the London Midland franchise in subsidy in each year since 2007; and what premium payment his Department received in each such year.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport (DfT) published the payment profile for London Midland Railway at the time of awarding the west midlands franchise towards the end of 2007. This profile can be found at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/wm/wmfranchise
	DfT provides a supplemental input of subsidy payment and premium received from train operating companies (TOCs) to the 'National Rail Trends Yearbook', published annually by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). The information requested is contained in 'Table 6.2c: Subsidy per passenger kilometre by TOC' and is available on the ORR website at:
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.2026
	and
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/nrt_ch6_miscella_tables.pdf

Railways: Safety

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mechanism his Department has put in place to ensure passenger safety at unstaffed train stations.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 24 March 2011
	It is the responsibility of relevant rail industry duty holders to ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, that an appropriate level of passenger safety is maintained at stations. The Office of Rail Regulation, as the independent health and safety regulator of Britain's railways, monitors compliance with those responsibilities.
	A wide range of best practice industry measures for dealing with passenger safety is available, such as the use of closed circuit television cameras. There is also a high level of industry participation in the Secure Stations Scheme, which encourages duty holder use of safety measures such as help points and improved lighting at stations.

Rescue Services

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has assessed potential trends in the impact rate of systemic risks under the future operating model for HM Coastguard; and what plans his Department has to mitigate any increased impact from the systemic risks of mission failure caused by  (a) inadequate monitoring and  (b) delayed or missed intervention resulting from (i) insufficient staff, (ii) insufficient qualified personnel and (iii) skills fade.

Michael Penning: On 11 February 2011 the Maritime and Coastguard Agency published a suite of documents concerning the assessment of risk in respect of the proposals to modernise HM Coastguard. These documents are available on the MCA website:
	www.mcga.gov.uk
	The documents provide a broad outline of the systemic risks and impacts presented by the existing coastguard structure and how those are controlled or mitigated by the modernisation proposals.
	These documents include assessments of the impact from the systemic risks of mission failure caused by inadequate monitoring and delayed or missed intervention resulting from insufficient staff, insufficient qualified personnel and skills fade.
	The continual monitoring and assessment of risk will be an integral part of the future operating model of HM Coastguard.

Rescue Services

Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with  (a) trade unions and  (b) HM Coastguard staff on the consultation on proposals for modernisation of HM Coastguard.

Michael Penning: I have visited a number of coastguard maritime rescue co-ordination centres across the country to discuss the proposals for the modernisation of the service with staff. A number of staff trade union representatives have been present at meetings during these visits.

Rescue Services: Fife Ness

Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to visit Fife Ness coastguard station.

Michael Penning: It will not be possible for me to visit every maritime rescue co-ordination centre during the consultation period but I have been to a number around the country to ensure that I hear a wide cross-section of views from the staff on the proposals on the modernisation of the HM Coastguard.

Rescue Services: Swansea

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many calls Swansea coastguard station received during hours of  (a) daylight and  (b) darkness in each month of 2010.

Michael Penning: It is not possible to provide data in respect of emergency 999 calls and radio calls in the format requested as the data cannot be easily related to the times of sunrise and sunset by season. However the Maritime and Coastguard Agency can confirm that the number of events (all entries in Command and Control system, excluding training, exercises and faults) Swansea Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received during 2010 is as follows:
	
		
			  Swansea 2010 
			   Events between 09.00 and 19.00  Events between 19.00 and 09.00  Total 
			 January 70 30 100 
			 February 48 30 78 
			 March 73 45 118 
			 April 121 60 181 
			 May 142 60 202 
			 June 198 93 291 
			 July 195 76 271 
			 August 225 70 295 
			 September 135 77 212 
			 October 119 54 173 
			 November 87 30 117 
			 December 58 24 82 
			 Total 1,471 649 2,120

Shipping: Oil

Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the principal causes of unintentional deposits of oil into the sea by oil tankers in  (a) UK and  (b) East Anglian coastal waters.

Michael Penning: The Government monitor national trends in accidental oil pollution from ships including tankers through the annual report of the Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea (ACOPS) report. This report incorporates information on the cause of each incident where known and allocates incidents to broad geographic areas. The reports are available on the following website:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-pollutionresponse/mcga-dops_cp_environmental-counter-pollution.htm
	and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Speed Limits: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2011,  Official Report, column 59W, on transport: Scotland, whether the implications of the provisions of the Scotland Bill for road speed limits were discussed during discussions with the Minister for Transport in the Scottish Government on road safety.

Michael Penning: No.

Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements are in place in his Department to  (a) reduce levels of work-based stress and  (b) provide assistance to staff diagnosed with such stress.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport (DfT) is committed to taking reasonable and practical steps to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of its employees, including reducing the risk of stress occurring in the workplace.
	We are proactive in our approach and have a range of arrangements in place.
	In all cases where the Department has been informed that work-related stress is a reason for an absence, managers must arrange medical advice through the Occupational Health Advisor, to assist recovery. DfT also provides various sources of confidential help and support through a confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

Third Sector

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department provided to each charity it funds in each of the last five years; and how much he has allocated for funding to each such charity in each of the next five years.

Norman Baker: The Department's general ledger does not identify whether bodies that receive funds from the Department hold charitable status. This question could therefore be answered only at disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan: Religious Freedom

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on levels of respect for religious freedom in Afghanistan.

William Hague: Our embassy in Kabul regularly reports back on developments regarding respect for religious freedom. Freedom of religion suffered setbacks in 2010, with Afghan parliamentarians' public calls for the execution of Christian converts and the subsequent imprisonment of several Afghans on charges of converting to Christianity. The most recent reports have focused on the case of Mr Said Musa, one of the Christian converts who had been arrested but has since been released.
	We monitor reports carefully and, together with our international partners, continue to remind the Afghan Government of their duty to abide by Afghanistan's national and international commitments on freedom of religion and belief.

Bahrain: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of British nationals who have left Bahrain since the start of recent political developments on flights organised by other Governments.

Alistair Burt: No British nationals left Bahrain on flights organised by other Governments.

Bahrain: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what costs his Department has incurred in chartering aircraft to Bahrain following recent political events.

Alistair Burt: The Department incurred £175,764 in costs for chartering aircraft to Bahrain, not including passenger taxes, catering and additional war risk insurance, for which the Department is still awaiting the final cost.

Bahrain: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) British and  (b) non-British nationals have used flights organised by his Department from Bahrain in 2011.

Alistair Burt: 16 British nationals and two EU dual nationals used the flights chartered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Bahrain: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on charging  (a) British and  (b) non-British nationals who used recent flights chartered by his Department from Bahrain.

Alistair Burt: The flights chartered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office were supplementary flights to support the commercial flight capacity provided by airlines. This was not an evacuation. Our policy remains to recover costs from all those who were supported in this way.

BBC World Service

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of each item of correspondence  (a) he received and  (b) the BBC World Service has received on proposals to close the BBC Hindi radio service.

William Hague: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has replied to a number of items of correspondence about the proposed cessation of the BBC Hindi short-wave service. It is not normal practice to publish letters from members of the public or other organisations without their permission.
	We do not have copies of any correspondence that the BBC World Service may have received about this topic.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Human Rights

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his counterpart in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the human rights of individuals in that country.

Henry Bellingham: I met the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Foreign Minister three times in the second half of 2010. On each occasion I raised our concerns about the human rights situation and stressed the responsibility of the Government of the DRC to protect civilians and bring human rights abusers to justice.
	Our ambassador to the DRC recently met Government figures including the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and stressed the need for the Government to protect freedom of expression for the Opposition, civil society, and journalists.

Departmental Plants

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on indoor and outdoor plants and trees since his appointment.

Alistair Burt: Since 11 May 2010 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has spent £2,720 on additional indoor and outdoor plants and trees in the UK, purchased via the Facilities Management contract with Interserve FM. These plants are for public areas and once in situ are maintained and replaced at no additional cost to the FCO.
	Maintaining existing indoor and outdoor plants and trees in the FCO in the UK is covered by the Grounds Maintenance element of the Facilities Management contract with Interserve FM. To disaggregate this data and to provide information for the FCO's overseas network would incur disproportionate cost.
	In addition, £3,795 was spent on plants and plant stands for high profile international events at Lancaster House.

Egypt: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many seats were  (a) available and  (b) occupied on each of the flights recently chartered by his Department for passenger transport from Bahrain.

Alistair Burt: Of the 409 seats offered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on chartered flights, 18 were occupied.

Egypt: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) British and  (b) non-British nationals have used flights organised by his Department from Egypt.

Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my response to him of 15 February 2011,  Official Report, column 713W.

Egypt: Elections

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the likely timing of elections in Egypt.

William Hague: The Government welcome the Egyptian interim Government's commitment to safeguard the legitimate demands of the Egyptian people and oversee a transition to democracy by holding free and fair elections. However, we understand that the Egyptian authorities have not yet determined the sequence and timing of the presidential and parliamentary elections. We continue to stress to the authorities the importance of a fully inclusive process leading to credible elections, and of holding parliamentary elections after presidential ones.

Iran: Detainees

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the conditions of those detained in Iran following the demonstrations in that country in early March 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: There are worryingly few details available about those detained following demonstrations in Iran over the past weeks. The Iranian authorities have stated that they do not consider themselves obliged to give any details of those arrested or detained, which adds to existing and serious concerns about the integrity of the Iranian legal system. The situation regarding Mr Karroubi and Mr Mousavi is a case in point. I am also deeply disturbed at reports that those arrested are being forced to sign declarations stating that they will not protest again as a precondition to being released. We reiterate our call to the Iranian authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all those detained for exercising their right to peaceful protest.

Iraq: Iran

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had  (a) with the US administration and  (b) at international fora on conditions at Camp Ashraf.

Alistair Burt: Our embassy officials continue to discuss the situation at the Camp with the EU, US, UN and the Iraqi Government's Ashraf Committee. Our Deputy Head of Mission recently raised the issue of Camp Ashraf with the Iraqi Human Rights Minister. We receive regular updates from the UN who visit the camp weekly and are in telephone contact with representatives of camp residents. Ultimately Camp Ashraf is in a sovereign Iraq and responsibility for the residents lies with the Iraqi Government. We will continue to encourage the Iraqi Government to treat the residents in line with international humanitarian standards and raise concerns where appropriate.

Japan: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many seats were  (a) available and  (b) occupied on each of the flights on aircraft recently chartered by his Department for passenger transport from Egypt.

Alistair Burt: There were approximately 220 seats available on each of the two Government-funded charter flights. On the first flight, there were 161 passengers and on the second, there were 76 passengers.

Libya: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) British and  (b) non-British nationals have used flights organised by his Department from Libya in 2011.

Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my response of 14 February 2011,  Official Report, column 67W.

Libya: British Nationals Abroad

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to assist spouses of UK nationals seeking to leave Libya who have not yet received entry clearance to enter the UK.

Alistair Burt: holding answer 22 March 2011
	 If any British national seeking to leave Libya as the result of this current crisis is travelling with a spouse or dependent children, and can prove their relationship, then the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will offer the same level of consular assistance as given to the British national. Where dependents of British citizens are receiving FCO consular assistance, the UK Border Agency will fast track entry clearance applications. Each case will be treated on its merits and on a case by case basis.

Libya: Mustard Gas

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the amount of mustard gas held in Libya; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Alistair Burt: The Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) gave a briefing to states' parties on 10 March 2011. They confirmed that over half of Libya's declared stockpile of 24 tonnes of sulphur mustard had been destroyed under verification by the OPCW's Technical Secretariat. Libya's remaining 11 tonnes of sulphur mustard is not weaponised and is awaiting destruction.

Libya: Politics and Government

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice on the situation in Libya his Department has provided to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in the last 12 months.

William Hague: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) works closely with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), a joint FCO/ BIS department, to support UK trade around the globe and provide advice on all export licensing decisions. UKTI staff in London and our embassy staff in Libya gave detailed briefings and advice to visiting businessmen and trade mission participants up until February 2011 to keep them informed of political and economic developments and business opportunities in Libya. In the light of the rapidly changing events in Libya, the Government took the decision to revoke all export licences for equipment that could be used in internal repression and will refuse all future applications for military and security related goods and technology for the Gaddafi regime. This policy has now been reinforced by the UN and EU arms embargo.

Libya: Politics and Government

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to support rebel forces in Libya.

Alistair Burt: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials are in close touch with the Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC) based in Benghazi and other anti-regime figures. This engagement has been vital in gaining a better understanding of the political, military and humanitarian situation in the country, in order to underpin our response to the crisis. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs spoke by telephone to Mahmoud Jabril, Special Envoy of the Interim Transitional National Council, most recently on 22 March 2011, to discuss the situation on the ground and to invite him to visit London. We are calling on all those, including the ITNC, who believe that Colonel Gaddafi has lost legitimacy and led the people of Libya into an impasse, to begin to organise a transition process.

Libya: Politics and Government

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work the Government has conducted through the Commonwealth to relieve the humanitarian situation on the borders of Libya.

William Hague: The UK has worked closely with Commonwealth partners to relieve the humanitarian crisis taking place in Libya.
	We are funding the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to co-ordinate repatriation flights from the Libyan border. We repatriated at least 521 Bangladeshis from the border with Tunisia as part of our efforts to prevent a logistical emergency becoming a humanitarian crisis. The IOM has been in close contact with the Government of Bangladesh, to ensure an appropriate reception for its citizens returning home on UK funded flights. In total, the UK has funded the repatriation of 12,000 people from the borders of Libya. We expect this to have included a number of Commonwealth citizens from sub-Saharan Africa.
	We are in close contact with interested Commonwealth partners, regarding the situation in Libya and its borders.

Libya: Politics and Government

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department had with charter flight brokers on arrangements for the evacuation of UK citizens from Libya on  (a) 20 February 2011 and  (b) 21 February 2011.

William Hague: On 19 February 2011 our embassy in Tripoli had arranged for a domestic charter flight to fly British nationals from Benghazi to Tripoli on 20 February 2011. This plane was at the airport in Benghazi on 20 February 2011 but was unable to fly due to the closure of airspace. On 21 February 2011 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office considered a range of evacuation options from Libya and were in contact with flight brokers about possible charter flights from Tripoli on 22 February 2011.

Members: Correspondence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to respond to the letters from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 19 January and 18 February 2011 on his constituent Mr R. Mackey.

David Lidington: The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne), replied to my hon. Friend on 24 March 2011.

Pakistan: Blasphemy

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had recent discussions with the government of Pakistan on the blasphemy laws in that country.

Alistair Burt: I raised the blasphemy laws with Pakistan's former Minister for Minorities Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti in January this year. My noble Friend the Lady Warsi also raised these issues with the Speaker of the Pakistan Parliament on 17 January 2011. Following Mr Bhatti's murder, the Prime Minister wrote to express his condolences to President Zardari. I made a statement condemning his killing, alongside the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Lady Warsi. We will continue to engage with the authorities in Pakistan on this issue.

Sri Lanka: Diplomatic Relations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will put in place diplomatic measures to improve bi-lateral relations with Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: We regularly engage with the Sri Lankans on a range of issues including migration, trade, human rights and political reform and reconciliation.
	I visited Sri Lanka in February this year and met a number of senior government ministers, business leaders, opposition politicians and civil society groups.
	We will continue to work with the Sri Lankan Government on the shared objective of lasting peace and prosperity including by addressing the legacy of the conflict. As I have previously set out to the House, we continue to have concerns about the human rights situation and media freedom.

Swaziland: Politics and Government

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking with his Commonwealth counterparts to increase progress towards democracy in Swaziland.

Henry Bellingham: I refer the hon. Member to my response to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg) on 21 March 2011,  Official Report, column 826W.

Tunisia: Aviation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  how many seats were  (a) available and  (b) occupied on each of the flights on aircraft recently chartered by his Department for passenger transport from Tunisia;
	(2)  what his Department's policy is on charging  (a) British and  (b) non-British nationals who used recent flights chartered by his Department from Tunisia.

Alistair Burt: No flights were chartered for consular crisis reasons by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from Tunisia in 2011.

UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to include human rights monitoring in the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara's mandate when it is renewed in April.

Alistair Burt: The UK fully supports UN-led efforts to reach a mutually acceptable and long-lasting political solution which provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Before finalising our negotiating position, we will consider carefully the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General's report on Western Sahara, which is due to be presented to the Security Council shortly.
	The Government continue to believe that transparency in the field of human rights is vital to building confidence between the parties. I personally raised the issue of Western Sahara during my visit to Morocco last December and stressed to the Moroccan authorities the benefits of considering a human rights monitoring presence on the ground. I also raised this matter with my Algerian counterpart when I visited Algiers in November 2010.

USA: Foreign Relations

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates he has spoken directly with the US Secretary of State since his appointment.

William Hague: Since my appointment, I have held frequent telephone conversations with the US Secretary of State on matters of international importance, and made two bilateral visits to the United States.
	Additionally, I have attended numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings and conferences, at which the US Secretary of State was present.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will amend his Department's guidance on the wearing of the NATO/International Security Assistance Force medal for operational service in Afghanistan by service personnel who have been awarded the Operational Service Medal for service in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: A review of the rules governing the award of medals has considered the principles underpinning the award of medals. In doing so, appropriate consideration has been given to the 'double medal' rule and the principles regarding the award of foreign medals, including the NATO ISAF medal.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Mr Robathan) on 3 March 2011,  Official Report, column 562W, to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr Brine). The review recently reported its findings to Defence Ministers; the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minster will now evaluate these proposals before any final conclusions are reached.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of armed forces personnel to be stationed in Afghanistan in each year to 2015.

Nick Harvey: The rate at which UK armed forces draw down between now and 2015 will be based on conditions on the ground and the changing role of International Security Assistance Force as the transition process proceeds.
	As yet, it is too early to estimate exactly what the size of the UK force will be for each year to 2015.

Armed Forces: Absent without Leave

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many 
	(1)  armed forces personnel were subject to detention or incarceration for going absent without leave in 2010; and how many were under the age of 18 at the time of the offence;
	(2)   (a) trained strength and  (b) in training armed forces personnel went absent without leave in 2010; and how many were under the age of 18.

Nick Harvey: holding answer 17 March 2011
	The records of the Military Corrective Training Centre show that in 2010 there were 742 detainees who were subject to detention for absent without leave (AWOL) offences. A number of these individuals may have been charged with further offences other than AWOL.
	Records indicate that 10 of these detainees were under 18 at the time of the offence. However, central records do not differentiate between trained and untrained personnel recorded as AWOL, for all three services.

Armed Forces: Absent without Leave

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel aged under 18 years were serving a sentence in the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester for having gone absent without leave in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many personnel aged under 18 years have been found guilty by court martial in the last two years for having gone absent without leave.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces aged under 18 years were detained in the Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester, for being absent without leave in  (a) 2008,  (b) 2009 and  (c) 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: holding answer 14 March 2011
	The number of service personnel detained at the Military Corrective Training Centre for being absent without leave (AWOL) who were under 18 at the time of their detention, is as follows:
	
		
			   Under 18s detained 
			 2008 1 
			 2009 2 
			 2010 1 
		
	
	Our records indicate that no individuals under the age of 18 were convicted at court martial for AWOL offences for the past two years.

Armed Forces: Conditions of Employment

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legal advice he has received on the definition in law of the term covenant.

Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence's legal team is fully engaged in the development of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Armed Forces: Conditions of Employment

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials in his Department made to preparing the announcement made by the Prime Minister on 25 June 2010 that the Government would write into law a new military covenant.

Nick Harvey: In line with standard departmental procedures the Prime Minister is regularly briefed on matters of Defence including the Armed Forces Covenant.

Armed Forces: Disciplinary Proceedings

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will bring forward proposals to amend the practice of administering a secondary punishment to military personnel who come into contact with civilian judicial authorities.

Nick Harvey: No. Although service personnel cannot be prosecuted for the same offence in both military and civil courts, the armed forces reserve the right to award administrative sanctions.

Armed Forces: Manpower

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have been issued with notifications of termination of contract in the last 12 months.

Nick Harvey: holding answer 2 March 2011
	The Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force have differing conditions of service that permit their personnel to apply to extend their service at certain points during a career to meet Service and individual needs.
	In the case of the Army, a soldier can apply, or be offered, to change his terms of service to the long service list or versatile engagement long career terms. In both cases these are for limited periods of time and allow for the Army to reduce the period of extension if there is a requirement to do so. Since 1 March 2010, 51 soldiers serving on either the long service list or the versatile engagement long career have received notification to discharge, following decisions not to grant extensions to their contracts of employment.
	Similarly, the Royal Air Force allows for certain ranks and trades to apply to continue their service beyond their normal engagement to meet a Service need. Short periods of continuance in service can be granted but individuals are made fully aware that this extension of service is kept under constant review and may be subject to change. Since 1 April 2010, some 242 personnel serving on continuance in service have had their service reduced and have been subsequently discharged, following requests these personnel have made to extend their contracts of employment.
	There have been no members of the Royal Navy subject to a change of their terms of service for wholly Service reasons.

Armed Forces: Officers

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK serving commissioned officers are working in NATO Headquarters; and how many of these are  (a) direct entry and  (b) late entry commissioned officers.

Nick Harvey: holding answer 24 March 2011
	There are 528 UK commissioned officers serving in various NATO Headquarters. The numbers of these that are direct entry and late entry are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recruited by the Careers Information Office to the  (a) RAF,  (b) Army and  (c) Navy in the 
	(1)  City of Kingston upon Hull local authority area in 2009-10;
	(2)  West Oxfordshire local authority area in 2009-10.

Nick Harvey: holding answer 17 March 2011
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Mr Robathan) on 23 November 2010,  Official Report, column 211W, to the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South (Bridget Phillipson).

Armed Forces: Surveys

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey 2011 will be published.

Nick Harvey: The Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) conducted in 2010 will be published on 31 March 2011. The AFCAS for 2011 is currently being conducted and we hope to publish it in the autumn.

Armed Forces: Training

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel have been trained to undertake duties within prisons as part of contingency plans to deal with any potential industrial action by prison staff; how much such training has cost to date; what training has been given to such personnel as part of such plans; and how many such personnel have been designated to support the National Offender Management Service as part of such plans.

Nick Harvey: Work is under way between the Ministries of Justice and Defence to prepare military personnel to support the National Offender Management Service in the event of widespread industrial action in prisons.
	Contingency measures have been put in place by the National Offender Management Service to strengthen the security and safety of prisons in the event of industrial action within prisons. Disclosing the number of military personnel trained and the number designated to support the National Offender Management Service would undermine these measures.
	As the training is still under way the costs incurred so far are not yet confirmed. However costs are being captured by the Ministry of Defence and a total cost will be available once training has been completed.
	With respect to the training given to military personnel, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt), on 10 March 2011,  Official Report, column 1280W.

Armed Forces: Young People

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many occasions a former member of the armed forces has taken action against his Department in respect of an alleged failure of a duty of care.

Andrew Robathan: This information is not held in the format requested.

Boarding Schools

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials in his Department are eligible for assistance for boarding school fees for their children; how many officials receive such assistance; and what the  (a) mean and  (b) median levels of assistance provided in respect of each child were in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Harvey: The number of Ministry of Defence (MOD) civil servants that received Civilian Schooling Allowance (paid to eligible MOD civil servants while working overseas) during Financial Year 2009-10 was 83. The mean figure is £9,778 per child and the median figure is £9,258.

China: Internet

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received of the effects on UK defence assets of the re-routing of internet traffic by servers belonging to China Telecom on 8 April 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: We do not comment on the detail of protective measures or cyber security incidents.
	The Department has procedural and physical measures in place to protect against and mitigate the impact of such situations.

Defence Suppliers Forum

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when he plans to announce the membership of the Defence Suppliers Forum;
	(2)  what the remit of the Defence Suppliers Forum will be.

Gerald Howarth: The Secretary of State recently announced that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is establishing a Defence Suppliers Forum, which will include representation from the full range of the Department's suppliers, from the UK and overseas, and which will better reflect defence-related industry as a whole, including small and medium-sized enterprises and the service sector.
	The forum's remit will cover all aspects of MOD's relationships with its suppliers, with a focus on obtaining maximum value for money.
	Having sought views from interested parties we expect to announce the composition of the new forum in the next few weeks.

Departmental Plants

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on indoor and outdoor plants and trees since his appointment.

Nick Harvey: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Expenditure on plants and trees across the defence estate is determined by business need and must be appropriate, cost effective and a proper charge to public funds.
	The MOD Defence Estates organisation and the Woodland Trust have recently joined forces in a partnership that will result in the planting of many hectares of woodland both to enable our armed forces to train more effectively for military operations and to help increase the UK's woodland cover in the interests of mitigating the effects of climate change and providing renewable energy. The cost of this programme is not, however, borne by the MOD.

Devonport Dockyard

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the status is of the Landing Craft Relocation project at HM Naval Base Devonport.

Gerald Howarth: Work is proceeding on the assessment phase of the Devonport Landing Craft Collocation Project. The project is planned to move to the build phase, subject to Main Gate approval, this summer.

Devonport Dockyard

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which warships and auxiliaries his Department expects to be based at HM Naval Base Devonport in  (a) 2015,  (b) 2020 and  (c) 2025.

Nick Harvey: At this time, we have no plans to change the base porting arrangements at Devonport. However, base porting arrangements for Royal Navy vessels are kept under constant review and the Department is currently considering whether there is a case to change the base porting arrangements for the Type 23 frigates.
	Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels do not have base porting arrangements, but rather utilise the naval base that is appropriate to their operational tasking or replenishment requirements.
	The vessels currently base ported at Devonport, including the remaining Type 22s which are due to be decommissioned before 2015, are:
	
		
			  Type  Name 
			 Amphibious (LPH) Ocean 
			 Amphibious (LPD) Albion 
			 Amphibious (LPD) Bulwark 
			 Type 22 Campbeltown 
			 Type 22 Cornwall 
			 Type 22 Cumberland 
			 Type 23 Montrose 
			 Type 23 Northumberland 
			 Type 23 Monmouth 
			 Type 23 Sutherland 
			 Type 23 Somerset 
			 Type 23 Portland 
			 Type 23 Argyll 
			 Hydrographic Scott 
			 Hydrographic Gleaner 
			 Hydrographic Echo 
			 Hydrographic Enterprise 
			 P2000 Raider

Ex-servicemen

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the merits of making regular reports to the House on implications for UK veterans of the developments and research carried out by the US Department of Veterans Affairs and its Gulf War Veterans Illness Task Force.

Nick Harvey: The UK maintains close relations with the US Government. The Ministry of Defence currently has a British liaison officer based in Washington DC to help ensure that the UK has full visibility of US research into Gulf veterans' illnesses (GVI) issues, and providing a channel for communicating our own work to interested US parties. The US Department of Veterans Affairs publishes information on GVI issues on their website so any new information is easily available to interested parties. In the event of any significant research being published in the US or elsewhere that throws further light on the illnesses reported by some Gulf veterans then we would bring this to the attention of the House. We do not believe however that an additional regular report is necessary at this time.

Gurkhas

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) compensation and  (b) other support is available to Gurkhas serving in the Army who are injured or disabled as a result of service; and what advice is made available on access to such support.

Nick Harvey: Gurkhas are entitled to the same level of compensation and support as any other service personnel. The Chain of Command and the Army Welfare Service are able to provide practical advice and support to service personnel and their families and signpost to welfare organisations as required.

HMS Caroline

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his plans are for the future of the training ship HMS Caroline.

Nick Harvey: We have agreed in principle to gift the ship to the National Museum of the Royal Navy. This is subject to the development of a viable heritage business plan for the ship and parliamentary approval. As well as the National Museum being able to fund the day-to-day responsibility for the ship, following decommissioning on 31 March, a heritage plan is required to be developed in consultation with the NI authorities and others.

HMS Cumberland

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role HMS Cumberland has played in protecting the Al Basra oil terminal.

Nick Harvey: HMS Cumberland provided security, surveillance and support to the Al Basrah oil terminal during her tasking under Commander Task Force Iraqi Maritime (CTF-IM) in December 2010. The UK works alongside the US and the Iraqi Navy and Marines to maintain security around the oil terminals in the Arabian Gulf.

HMS Cumberland: HMS Cornwall

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what ports visits  (a) HMS Cumberland and  (b) HMS Cornwall have made during their current deployments.

Nick Harvey: The port visits made as at 22 March 2011 by HMS Cumberland and by HMS Cornwall during their current deployments were as follows:
	 HMS Cumberland
	Gibraltar, Palermo, Jeddah, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, Muscat, Soudha Bay, Naples, Cagliari and also entered the ports of Benghazi and Valletta as part of the evacuation of entitled personnel from Libya.
	 HMS Cornwall
	Algiers, Soudha Bay, Muscat, Fujairah, Salalah, Dubai.

HMS Cumberland: HMS Cornwall

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many vessels have been  (a) queried and  (b) boarded by HMS Cumberland during her current deployment;
	(2)  how many vessels have been  (a) queried and  (b) boarded by HMS Cornwall during her current deployment.

Nick Harvey: On current deployments: HMS Cumberland has queried a total of 256 vessels and conducted 40 alongside assurance visits where a boarding party goes alongside vessels to gather information, assist in developing the patterns of life for that specific area and offer assurance against maritime crime. HMS Cornwall has queried a total of 173 vessels and boarded 10 vessels.

Libya: Missiles

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many missiles were fired at targets in Libya from  (a) RAF Tornado aircraft and  (b) Royal Navy ships and submarines on 19 March 2011.

Nick Harvey: On 19 March 2011, a number of missiles were fired from RAF Tornado aircraft and Royal Navy submarines at targets in Libya. No missiles were fired from any Royal Navy ships in the region. I am withholding the exact number of missiles fired as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Libya: No-Fly Zone

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the total level of resources the UK will provide to the implementation of the no-fly zone in Libya.

Nick Harvey: It is too early to give a robust estimate of the costs of the operations in Libya. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has confirmed that the net additional costs of operations in Libya will be fully met from the reserve.

Libya: Tornado Aircraft

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft stationed at RAF Marham were in a fit condition to participate in the first air strike against targets in Libya on 19 March 2011.

Nick Harvey: On 19 March 2011, there were 72 Tornado GR4 aircraft available to the front line squadrons in UK of which 36 were at RAF Marham. This figure is a snapshot as the number of aircraft assigned to front line squadrons will vary on a daily basis according to normal fleet management activities, including requirements for mandated maintenance and upgrade programmes.

Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability Project

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability Project; and if he will make a statement.

Gerald Howarth: The Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme is in its assessment phase, and the Ministry of Defence issued an advertisement for an international competition in October 2009 for the MARS tankers. Following expressions of interest from industry, six bidders were invited to submit outline solutions. In October 2010, the bidders were invited to submit more detailed solutions and the resulting bids are currently the subject of discussions between the MOD and the bidders. On current plans, final bids are expected to be requested later this year.
	In addition to the MARS tankers, the solid support capability elements, intended to be provided by the MARS programme, remain uncommitted at this stage.

Military Tattoos

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on holding military tattoos, festivals and other events open to the public.

Nick Harvey: It is important that members of the public are able to show their support for the armed forces by attending events that have an armed forces theme. This can range from local community engagement activities, such as open days, through to commercially-run air shows or military tattoos.
	When planning an event, organisers must take into account a number of factors and present a business case for approval through their chain of command. The event will not be approved unless judged as cost-effective, beneficial to the Services or Ministry of Defence and has a clear purpose.

Navy

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) status and  (b) operational tasking is of each of the Royal Navy's (i) Type 23 frigates, (ii) Type 22 Batch 3 frigates, (iii) Type 42 destroyers and (iv) Type 45 destroyers.

Gerald Howarth: As of 23 March 2010 the operational tasking and status for each of the Royal Navy's frigates and destroyers by type is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Operational tasking and status 
			  Type 23  
			 HMS Argyll Operational Sea Training 
			 HMS Iron Duke Op Telic 
			 HMS Kent Refit 
			 HMS Lancaster Refit 
			 HMS Montrose Fleet Ready Escort 
			 HMS Monmouth Maritime Security UK Waters 
			 HMS Northumberland Refit 
			 HMS Portland Assisted Maintenance Period 
			 HMS Richmond Op Atalanta 
			 HMS Somerset Towed Array Patrol Ship 
			 HMS St Albans Operational Sea Training 
			 HMS Sutherland Maritime Security UK Waters 
			 HMS Westminster Op Ellamy 
			   
			  Type 22  
			 HMS Campbeltown Training in UK waters 
			 HMS Cornwall Op Calash 
			 HMS Cumberland Op Ellamy 
			   
			  Type 42  
			 HMS Edinburgh Maritime Security UK Waters 
			 HMS Gloucester Atlantic Patrol Tasking (South) 
			 HMS Liverpool Pre Deployment Leave 
			 HMS York Atlantic Patrol Tasking (South) 
			   
			  Type 45  
			 HMS Daring Maritime Security UK Waters 
			 HMS Dauntless Operational Sea Training 
		
	
	Op Telic is maintaining the integrity and security of Iraqi territorial seas; Op Calash is counter piracy and counter smuggling operations within the Arabian sea, gulf of Aden, and North Indian ocean; Op Atalanta refers to EU counter piracy and counter smuggling operations within the Arabian sea, gulf of Aden, and North Indian ocean; and Op Ellamy is the operation in support of UN Security Council resolution 1973.
	Also identified in the list is Atlantic Patrol Tasking (South), a standing naval commitment to the South Atlantic and west African regions, which provides a maritime presence to protect the British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, including South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the UK's interests in the region.

Navy

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  which Ministers from other Government Departments have visited Royal Navy  (a) ships,  (b) submarines or  (c) shore establishments since his appointment;
	(2)  which Ministers from other Government Departments have met senior naval personnel since his appointment.

Nick Harvey: The information requested is not held centrally. The First Sea Lord and senior naval personnel do, however, engage with Government Ministers on a regular basis in conducting their day-to-day business.

P2000 Training Vessels

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what long-term plans he has for replacement of the P2000 training vessels.

Gerald Howarth: No decisions have yet been taken on the replacement of the P2000 training vessels.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Scotland

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans and serving members of the armed forced by GPs in Scotland.

Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary (Dr Fox) gave him in the debate held on 3 March 2011,  Official Report, column 489.
	Ministry of Defence officials work very closely with the UK Health Departments on issues relating to support to serving and former Service personnel with mental health needs, in particular through the Partnership Board which brings together senior officials and medical experts in the MOD and the four UK Health Departments. The community mental health pilot in Edinburgh continues and all former Service personnel can now access the Combat Stress Support Helpline being delivered by the charity Rethink Mental Illness and funded by Government.

Rescue Services

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what he expects the staffing level of  (a) RNAS Prestwick,  (b) RAF Boulmer,  (c) RAF Chivenor,  (d) DST Leconfield,  (e) RAF Valley,  (f) RAF Wattisham,  (g) RNAS Culdrose,  (h) HMCG Lee-on-the-Solent,  (i) HMCG Portland,  (j) HMCG Stornoway,  (k) HMCG Sumburgh and  (l) RAF Lossiemouth to be in the next five years.

Peter Luff: holding answer 24 March 2011
	Following termination of the planned Search and Rescue Helicopter (SAR-H) procurement on 8 February 2011, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Transport are reviewing the future provision of helicopter search and rescue for the UK. Long term staffing levels at each of these bases will not be confirmed until that process has concluded. Nevertheless, I do not anticipate any significant changes to staff numbers at the eight RAF stations before 2014, and at the four HM Coastguard stations before 2013.

Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place in his Department to  (a) reduce levels of work-based stress and  (b) provide assistance to staff diagnosed with such stress.

Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a policy for managing stress in the workplace developed from the Health and Safety Executive Management Standards for work-related stress. The implementation of stress management policies is the responsibility of local management or service commands. The details of the policy can be found on the MOD website at:
	http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C354C616-E9B8-4FBC-930C-859ABABA887C/0/leaf_25.pdf
	MOD has several internal on-line awareness courses aimed at both the individual and the line manager available to all staff (including armed forces personnel) which provide guidance in identifying and dealing with stress. Civilian line managers are required to inform the MOD's internal Occupational Welfare Service (OWS) when a civilian member of staff is absent because of stress so that early intervention action can be undertaken. The OWS can provide advice and support on a wide range of work-related and personal problems that may affect performance and/or attendance at work.
	A similar policy exists for the members of the armed forces, in which the individual's Commanding Officer has a duty to advise Military Welfare if a member of their command is showing signs of stress. Armed forces personnel also have access to the following individuals and organisations: Medical Officer, Padre, Sailors, Soldiers and Air Force Association, Military Welfare officers or Defence Community Mental Health Nurses. The armed forces have additional arrangements to deal with stress associated with pre and post operational deployments that are different from the normal perception of stress related to the work place because of the nature of their work.

Third Sector

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution  (a) he,  (b) Ministers in his Department and  (c) his Department is making to the Government's big society initiative.

Liam Fox: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 15 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 224-25W, by the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan), to the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane).

Veterans Identity Card

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made with proposals to introduce a veterans identity card.

Nick Harvey: On 8 December 2010, the report of the independent Taskforce on the Military Covenant was published, and made available in the Library of the House. This recommended consideration of a veterans' privilege card. The report is being studied carefully and the Government will respond in the spring.

Warships

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what role Royal Navy mine countermeasures vessels play in supporting the strategic nuclear deterrent;
	(2)  what role anti-submarine frigates play in supporting the strategic nuclear deterrent;
	(3)  how many days a year he expects Type 23 frigates to be tasked with duties in support of the nuclear deterrent previously undertaken by maritime patrol aircraft.

Nick Harvey: Mine counter measures vessels conduct regular mine warfare surveys in support of the strategic nuclear deterrent.
	Type 23 Frigates provide the towed array patrol ship for reactive anti-submarine patrol duties in support of the strategic nuclear deterrent.
	A ship is maintained at high readiness for this task 365 days a year. This has been unchanged by the maritime patrol aircraft decision.

Warships

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he is giving to the requirements of legislation on single-hulled tankers in his plans for the disposal of RFA Fort George.

Gerald Howarth: RFA Fort George will be disposed of in line with the Ministry of Defence's policy for disposing of surplus defence equipment. We will look first at the feasibility of a sale to other governments for continued military use. Should this not prove viable, we would then explore other options such as a sale to a private commercial enterprise. In their proposals, potential buyers will be expected to provide evidence of their intended use for the ship and that this use would comply with the relevant legislation. As RFA Fort George is a single-hulled tanker this will include the provisions of the Maritime Pollution (MARPOL) Convention if the ship will continue to be used to store or transport oil.

Warships

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the proposed relationship is between the Future Surface Combatant  (a) C1 variant and  (b) C2 variant and the Type 26 Global Combat Ship.

Gerald Howarth: The C1 and C2 variants of the Future Surface Combatant programme have been combined in the requirement which the Type 26 Global Combat Ship is being designed to meet.

EDUCATION

Academies

Jessica Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of progress on the academies programme in  (a) Erewash constituency and  (b) England.

Nick Gibb: At present, six schools in the Erewash constituency have expressed an interest in becoming an academy. Of these, Kirk Hallam Community Technology and Sports college opened as an academy on 1 March 2011. The Long Eaton school has an academy order and is due to convert soon. The Bennerley school is also due to open as a sponsored academy on 1 September 2011. Details of the remaining schools considering academy status are not released at this stage.
	In England, as of 4 March 2011 the total number of academies open is 467, of which 264 opened since September 2010, and 195 of these are converters.
	Full details of schools that have formally applied for academy status, as well as a list of academies that have opened in the academic year 2010/11 can be found on the DfE academies website at
	http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/typesofschools/academies/a0069811/schools-submitting-applications-and-academies-that-have-opened-in-201011.

Academies: GCSE

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of Key Stage Four exam entries was in academic non-applied GCSE subjects for each academy in 2009-10; and how many such students were in receipt of free school meals.

Nick Gibb: The requested information is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Percentage of entries in academic non-applied GCSE subjects in academies in 2010 and the number of pupils who were eligible for free school meals and took academic non-applied GCSE subjects 
			  Academy name  Percentage of entries in academic non-applied GCSE subjects  FSM 
			 St Paul's Academy 67.4 40 
			 Mossbourne Community Academy 67.4 116 
			 The Petchey Academy 99.4 31 
			 Burlington Danes Academy 71.0 105 
			 St Mary Magdalene Academy 86.9 (1)- 
			 City of London Academy-Islington 81.3 136 
			 Lambeth Academy 79.8 71 
			 Haberdashers'Aske's Hatcham College 54.5 105 
			 Haberdashers' Aske's Knights Academy 49.6 92 
			 St Matthew Academy 60.3 20 
			 City of London Academy (Southwark) 70.1 91 
			 Harris Academy at Peckham 57.9 168 
			 Harris Academy Bermondsey 56.7 179 
			 Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich 46.7 49 
			 Walworth Academy 57.4 105 
			 St Michael and All Angels CofE Academy 62.3 75 
			 Bacon's College 94.6 114 
			 Globe Academy 57.8 63 
			 Ashcroft Technology Academy 58.9 103 
			 Paddington Academy 48.1 153 
			 Westminster Academy 54.3 114 
			 Pimlico Academy 75.2 119 
			 London Academy 60.1 155 
			 The Business Academy Bexley 49.8 92 
			 Harris Academy Falconwood 45.2 29 
			 Capital City Academy 68.1 104 
			 The Crest Girls Academy 70.9 148 
			 The Crest Boys Academy 42.6 109 
			 Harris Academy South Norwood 49.9 45 
			 Harris City Academy Crystal Palace 61.7 53 
			 Oasis Academy Coulsdon 74.1 36 
			 Harris Academy Purley 60.6 36 
			 Oasis Academy Shirley Park 52.5 44 
			 West London Academy 58.8 174 
			 Oasis Academy Hadley 65.3 208 
			 Greig City Academy 68.6 108 
			 Stockley Academy 57.9 112 
			 The Harefield Academy 46.1 28 
			 Harris Academy Merton 47.6 69 
			 St Marks Church of England Academy 70.0 35 
			 Walthamstow Academy 61.8 59 
			 Heartlands Academy 67.0 110 
			 Shenley Academy 61.6 89 
			 St Alban's Academy 50.3 93 
			 North Birmingham Academy 43.6 230 
			 Grace Academy Coventry 44.8 48 
			 Sandwell Academy 57.1 50 
			 Shireland Collegiate Academy 44.4 130 
			 George Salter Collegiate Academy 36.7 95 
			 Q3 Academy 70.0 31 
			 RSA Academy 34.8 53 
			 Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy 63.3 31 
			 Grace Academy Solihull 60.4 93 
			 Park Hall Academy 43.0 58 
			 CTC Kingshurst Academy 46.3 85 
			 Walsall Academy 59.8 57 
			 Sheffield Community Academy 36.3 107 
			 Grace Academy Darlaston 50.3 76 
			 South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy 46.6 101 
			 The Academy of St Francis of Assisi 54.4 135 
			 North Liverpool Academy 28.8 179 
			 The Belvedere Academy 64.1 24 
			 Birkenhead High School Academy 69.6 (1)- 
			 Essa Academy 50.3 144 
			 Bolton St Catherine's Academy 46.5 108 
			 Manchester Academy 49.9 137 
			 William Hulme's Grammar School 66.6 18 
			 Manchester Enterprise Academy 66.9 112 
			 Manchester Health Academy 39.3 64 
			 Manchester Creative and Media Academy for Girls 36.6 100 
			 Manchester Creative and Media Academy for Boys 56.8 77 
			 St Anne's Academy 51.8 97 
			 Salford City Academy 58.9 29 
			 Oasis Academy MediaCityUK 59.3 40 
			 Stockport Academy 62.4 56 
			 New Charter Academy 48.4 66 
			 Droylsden Academy 55.8 88 
			 The Barnsley Academy 30.9 54 
			 Trinity Academy 50.7 72 
			 De Warenne Academy 54.8 53 
			 Outwood Academy Adwick 32.4 89 
			 Maltby Academy 60.0 77 
			 Sheffield Park Academy 50.0 140 
			 Sheffield Springs Academy 57.0 102 
			 Parkwood Academy 52.5 100 
			 Dixons City Academy 45.1 27 
			 Bradford Academy 49.7 148 
			 Appleton Academy 47.1 36 
			 Dixons Allerton Academy 62.9 122 
			 David Young Community Academy 39.7 128 
			 Leeds West Academy 47.1 108 
			 South Leeds Academy 52.1 130 
			 Outwood Grange Academy 37.0 39 
			 Excelsior Academy 37.8 117 
			 Academy 360 52.6 90 
			 Castle View Enterprise Academy 60.2 70 
			 Red House Academy 54.2 32 
			 The City Academy Bristol 50.0 235 
			 Bristol Brunei Academy 44.2 67 
			 Bristol Cathedral Choir School 93.4 3 
			 Colston's Girls' School 63.0 3 
			 Merchants' Academy 45.3 74 
			 Oasis Academy Bristol 43.0 29 
			 Oasis Academy Brightstowe 55.2 22 
			 Bristol Metropolitan Academy 50.0 49 
			 John Cabot Academy 55.0 16 
			 The Ridings Federation Yate International Academy 55.1 22 
			 The Ridings Federation Winterbourne International Academy 71.2 11 
			 Unity City Academy 30.6 96 
			 The King's Academy 59.5 38 
			 Macmillan Academy 57.3 143 
			 Archbishop Sentamu Academy 39.8 157 
			 Sirius Academy 47.6 96 
			 Oasis Academy Immingham 43.7 41 
			 Oasis Academy Wintringham 40.1 79 
			 Havelock Academy 61.2 75 
			 The St Lawrence Academy 47.3 24 
			 Barnfield West Academy Luton 29.5 49 
			 Barnfield South Academy Luton 66.0 87 
			 All Saints Academy Dunstable 58.7 38 
			 Aylesbury Vale Academy 56.2 14 
			 The Milton Keynes Academy 43.2 61 
			 Landau Forte College 68.2 23 
			 St Aidans Church of England Academy 48.5 53 
			 Charter Academy 43.5 54 
			 Oasis Academy Lord's Hill 47.8 59 
			 Oasis Academy Mayfield 76.0 29 
			 The Wellington Academy 48.7 10 
			 Swindon Academy 66.4 64 
			 John Madejski Academy 51.1 105 
			 The Langley Academy 69.3 59 
			 Thomas Deacon Academy 52.3 101 
			 Ormiston Bushfield Academy 48.3 53 
			 New Rickstones Academy 71.0 39 
			 Greensward Academy 46.9 20 
			 Maltings Academy 56.7 16 
			 The Basildon Upper Academy 40.0 165 
			 Clacton Coastal Academy 47.5 80 
			 The Gateway Academy 39.3 78 
			 Ormiston Park Academy 37.3 35 
			 Hereford Academy 35.9 34 
			 Steiner Academy Hereford 58.5 4 
			 Tudor Grange Academy Worcester 40.5 28 
			 The Marlowe Academy 39.6 78 
			 Folkestone Academy 48.9 72 
			 Marsh Academy 53.1 28 
			 The Leigh Technology Academy 43.6 33 
			 Spires Academy 39.1 22 
			 New Line Learning Academy 36.7 75 
			 Cornwallis Academy 50.2 33 
			 Longfield Academy 57.6 33 
			 The Isle of Sheppey Academy 52.4 85 
			 Skinners' Kent Academy 43.2 30 
			 Strood Academy 57.8 42 
			 Accrington Academy 54.1 97 
			 Fulwood Academy 68.5 43 
			 Darwen Aldridge Community Academy 54.9 59 
			 Samworth Church Academy 53.8 42 
			 Djanogly City Academy Nottingham 42.3 114 
			 Nottingham University Samworth Academy 57.9 81 
			 Nottingham Academy 40.7 159 
			 The Bulwell Academy 41.0 107 
			 Madeley Academy 47.9 82 
			 Abraham Darby 51.1 71 
			 University of Chester CE Academy 58.0 85 
			 Richard Rose Morton Academy 55.6 23 
			 Richard Rose Central Academy 64.8 75 
			 West Lakes Academy 63.6 26 
			 Furness Academy 66.7 83 
			 Francis Combe Academy 58.3 35 
			 The Bushey Academy 55.1 42 
			 Priory Witham Academy 30.5 45 
			 Priory City of Lincoln Academy 54.9 63 
			 Priory Academy LSST 61.8 6 
			 Trent Valley Academy 59.7 60 
			 St George's Academy 56.5 45 
			 The Open Academy 62.5 26 
			 City Academy Norwich 58.8 66 
			 Northampton Academy 52.3 61 
			 Corby Business Academy 38.7 59 
			 Brooke Weston Academy 54.4 16 
			 Kettering Buccleuch Academy 69.3 45 
			 Kettering Science Academy 64.7 63 
			 Northumberland CofE Academy 47.9 72 
			 North Oxfordshire Academy 39.5 34 
			 Oxford Academy 65.0 56 
			 The Sir Robert Woodard Academy 63.6 50 
			 The Littlehampton Academy 68.1 40 
			 Midhurst Rother College 56.8 7 
			 Shoreham Academy 55.7 29 
			 (1 )Suppression due to small numbers.

Academies: GCSE

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what proportion of academy Key Stage Four exam entries in 2009-10 were in  (a) academic GCSEs,  (b) applied GCSEs and  (c) other qualifications equivalent to A* to C GCSEs; and how many such students were in receipt of free school meals in each case;
	(2)  what proportion of academy GCSEs A* to C grades or equivalent in 2009-10 were  (a) academic GCSEs,  (b) applied GCSEs and  (c) other qualifications judged to be equivalent to A* to C GCSEs.

Nick Gibb: We are not able to give entry data for qualifications which are counted as equivalent to an A* to C GCSE as we only receive the final grades for these qualifications.
	There is no way of identifying the numbers who sit but do not pass them.
	Of the entries about which we do have information, the proportion of GCSE and equivalent entries in 2010 in academies were divided as follows:
	53.4%-for academic GCSEs
	2.4%-for applied GCSEs
	44.2%-for other equivalent qualifications
	The number of students eligible for free school meals (FSM) who took selected qualification types (as defined above) in 2010 in academies are as follows:
	7,600-entered for academic GCSEs
	1,145-entered for applied GCSEs
	7,158-entered for other equivalent qualifications
	The proportion of A* to C grades at GCSE or equivalent in 2010 in academies were divided as follows:
	43.4%-in academic GCSEs
	4.9%-in applied GCSEs
	51.7%-in other qualifications equivalent to an A* to C GCSE
	Qualifications counted as GCSE entries includes iGCSEs, short courses which are counted as half an entry and Double Awards which are counted as two entries.
	 Source:
	Performance Table

Alcoholic Drinks

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department has spent on the contents of ministerial drinks cabinets since 12 May 2010.

Tim Loughton: Nothing.

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he made of the cost to the Exchequer of continuing the full Building Schools for the Future programme.

Nick Gibb: On 5 July last year, the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), announced the ending of the programme apart from some of the furthest advanced projects. After taking account of those projects that are due to complete, at a cost of around £4 billion over the next four years, continuing with the programme would have cost more than a further £40 billion.

CAFCASS

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of the productivity of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

Tim Loughton: I monitor CAFCASS's productivity as part of my quarterly accountability meetings with the service. CAFCASS calculate their productivity by comparing the level of unallocated work at the end of each month with that at the start of April 2010, and analysing the degree to which an increased level of work has been absorbed without a permanent increase in resources. On this basis CAFCASS's productivity increased by 7.7% in the most recent period considered (May 2010 to December 2010). An indication of this is that CAFCASS is providing guardians for children in 12,624 cases now compared to only 10,518 cases a year ago.

CAFCASS

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps are taken by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service to assist children affected by joint custody arrangements which cover more than one local authority area.

Tim Loughton: There are no practical differences in the way that CAFCASS handles shared residence cases specifically in situations where parents live in different local authority areas. In all family law cases the focus of CAFCASS's work is the best interests of the child. This focus applies equally to shared residence arrangements as to any other type of arrangement. Where CAFCASS officers assess that a child is at risk they will refer the case to the relevant local authority.

Chemistry: Teachers

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to improve  (a) quality and  (b) quantity of chemistry teachers.

Nick Gibb: We are considering a number of proposals to improve the training of teachers so that standards of teaching are raised in schools. It is the Government's ambition to improve the prestige of the profession so that it attracts the highest quality entrants and to base more initial teacher training in schools so that trainees spend as much time in the classroom, learning from the best teachers. For example, we have already announced plans to expand the successful scheme Teach First so that more schools may benefit from the talents of the country's best graduates. A significant proportion of Teach First participants teach the most demanding shortage subjects, including the science disciplines. Expanding the scheme should therefore help boost the supply of chemistry teachers.
	The Schools White Paper 2010, "The Importance of Teaching", also sets out the Government's commitment to attract more of the best graduates of priority subjects into teaching. We are reviewing the routes into teaching and the incentives offered to well qualified people who want to teach priority subjects and will publish a strategy document for discussion later this year setting out our plans for funding initial teacher training from academic year 2012/13 to meet our policy aims.
	The Secretary of State for Education wrote to the Training and Development Agency for Schools on 31 January 2011 with the details of the initial teacher training place allocations and financial incentives for 2011/12. We have decided that there should be individual targets for the science disciplines for that period, including a target of 1,070 chemistry training places, as opposed to an overall allocation for science as has been set in previous years. We have also confirmed that chemistry graduates will continue to receive the highest level of training bursary at £9,000 in recognition of the recruitment priority we give the subject.

Children In care

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of children were looked after in each local authority area in each of the last three years.

Tim Loughton: Information on the proportion of children who were looked after in each local authority area in each of the last three years is shown in the following table.
	This information has also been published in table LAA1 in the Statistical First Release "Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2010", which is available on the Department's website via the following link:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000960/index.shtml
	
		
			  Children looked after at 31 March, by local authority( 1, 2) . Years ending 31 March 2008 to 2010. Coverage: England 
			  Number and rates per 10,000 children aged under 18 years 
			   Number( 3)  Rates( 4) 
			   2008  2009  2010  2008  2009  2010 
			  England 59,400 60,900 64,400 54 55 58 
			
			  North East 3,260 3,250 3,650 61 61 69 
			 Darlington 135 130 145 61 59 65 
			 Durham 410 440 495 40 43 49 
			 Gateshead 290 290 300 74 75 78 
			 Hartlepool 150 150 165 72 73 81 
			 Middlesbrough 270 275 325 85 87 104 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 455 460 525 87 89 100 
			 North Tyneside 230 210 275 57 53 69 
			 Northumberland 300 270 285 49 44 47 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 140 140 155 46 47 54 
			 South Tyneside 260 260 295 84 84 96 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 225 235 285 53 55 67 
			 Sunderland 390 395 390 67 68 69 
			
			  North West 10,300 10,600 11,180 69 71 75 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 305 320 360 79 83 94 
			 Blackpool 280 325 375 93 109 128 
			 Bolton 420 435 480 68 70 77 
			 Bury 300 290 290 70 69 69 
			 Cheshire(5) 565 655 n/a 39 45 n/a 
			 Cheshire East(5) n/a n/a 430 n/a n/a 57 
			 Cheshire West and Chester(5) n/a n/a 320 n/a n/a 47 
			 Cumbria 480 450 510 48 45 52 
			 Halton 150 160 145 54 57 54 
			 Knowsley 305 305 295 87 87 87 
			 Lancashire 1,275 1,255 1,285 51 50 52 
			 Liverpool 845 860 910 96 99 107 
			 Manchester 1,430 1,410 1,425 151 148 149 
			 Oldham 340 325 350 62 59 64 
			 Rochdale 350 405 435 70 82 88 
			 Salford 535 490 495 115 105 106 
			 Sefton 315 365 375 54 64 67 
			 St Helens 315 325 355 81 84 93 
			 Stockport 310 315 315 51 52 53 
			 Tameside 310 330 350 64 68 73 
			 Trafford 235 240 250 49 50 52 
			 Warrington 200 245 265 46 57 62 
			 Wigan 425 485 520 64 73 78 
			 Wirral 610 625 630 90 93 94 
			
			  Yorkshire and the Humber 6,540 6,720 7,050 59 61 64 
			 Barnsley 255 260 245 53 54 50 
			 Bradford 840 875 885 66 69 69 
			 Calderdale 250 270 270 55 60 59 
			 Doncaster 400 425 465 63 66 74 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 260 255 275 39 38 42 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 540 525 575 99 97 106 
			 Kirklees 445 505 555 48 54 59 
			 Leeds 1,360 1,340 1,415 89 88 93 
			 North East Lincolnshire 150 150 155 42 43 44 
			 North Lincolnshire 155 155 160 45 45 47 
			 North Yorkshire 410 415 470 34 34 39 
			 Rotherham 345 405 405 61 72 73 
			 Sheffield 640 595 580 60 56 54 
			 Wakefield 325 350 375 47 50 55 
			 York 170 200 225 48 58 64 
			
			  East Midlands 3,730 3,920 4,220 40 42 45 
			 Derby 405 425 420 76 80 79 
			 Derbyshire 545 550 630 34 34 40 
			 Leicester 450 460 490 65 66 70 
			 Leicestershire 310 325 330 23 25 25 
			 Lincolnshire 530 540 520 38 39 38 
			 Northamptonshire 555 645 700 36 42 46 
			 Nottingham 475 475 520 85 85 93 
			 Nottinghamshire 450 480 580 28 30 36 
			 Rutland 15 20 30 15 19 32 
			
			  West Midlands 7,370 7,640 8,010 61 64 67 
			 Birmingham 2,095 2,095 2,035 84 83 80 
			 Coventry 535 515 590 79 76 86 
			 Dudley 510 545 615 76 82 93 
			 Herefordshire 155 165 160 42 45 46 
			 Sandwell 480 475 505 71 70 73 
			 Shropshire 195 200 220 32 33 37 
			 Solihull 340 405 415 74 88 92 
			 Staffordshire 660 700 740 38 41 44 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 415 395 405 81 76 78 
			 Telford and Wrekin 235 250 270 61 66 71 
			 Walsall 445 465 495 73 77 82 
			 Warwickshire 485 540 575 43 48 52 
			 Wolverhampton 350 370 400 66 69 76 
			 Worcestershire 480 530 585 41 45 50 
			
			  East of England 5,630 5,740 6,180 46 47 50 
			 Bedfordshire(5) 260 275 n/a 29 30 n/a 
			 Bedford borough(5) n/a n/a 165 n/a n/a 46 
			 Central Bedfordshire(5) n/a n/a 165 n/a n/a 29 
			 Cambridgeshire 410 450 480 33 36 38 
			 Essex 1,270 1,330 1,440 43 45 48 
			 Hertfordshire 915 980 1,140 38 40 46 
			 Luton 385 345 340 82 72 70 
			 Norfolk 830 840 885 51 52 54 
			 Peterborough 350 315 300 89 80 75 
			 Southend-on-Sea 280 275 265 80 79 76 
			 Suffolk 720 710 775 48 47 52 
			 Thurrock 205 220 230 57 60 62 
			
			  London 10,700 10,690 10,970 66 65 66 
			  Inner London 4,920 4,770 4,920 83 80 81 
			 Camden 275 270 265 72 69 68 
			 City of London 10 15 15 133 132 159 
			 Hackney 360 345 305 71 68 59 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 320 290 255 105 94 82 
			 Haringey 425 490 590 88 101 121 
			 Islington 330 305 315 99 92 94 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 180 165 155 60 55 52 
			 Lambeth 570 545 565 106 101 105 
			 Lewisham 465 465 525 82 81 90 
			 Newham 595 560 560 91 85 85 
			 Southwark 570 535 555 104 97 101 
			 Tower Hamlets 340 350 350 69 71 70 
			 Wandsworth 240 230 205 50 47 41 
			 Westminster 240 215 245 70 63 71 
			
			  Outer London 5,770 5,920 6,060 56 56 57 
			 Barking and Dagenham 340 385 380 75 83 78 
			 Barnet 325 325 310 43 43 40 
			 Bexley 210 215 220 41 42 43 
			 Brent 365 360 370 66 64 65 
			 Bromley 260 250 285 39 37 42 
			 Croydon 1,045 1,070 1,010 132 134 126 
			 Ealing 395 395 400 61 60 60 
			 Enfield 255 260 280 38 37 40 
			 Greenwich 515 530 590 99 101 111 
			 Harrow 140 150 160 29 30 32 
			 Havering 190 200 200 38 39 39 
			 Hillingdon 475 450 425 82 76 71 
			 Hounslow 335 340 355 68 69 71 
			 Kingston upon Thames 90 110 130 28 33 38 
			 Merton 105 115 140 26 28 33 
			 Redbridge 180 215 225 29 34 35 
			 Richmond upon Thames 95 90 95 24 22 24 
			 Sutton 125 125 150 29 29 34 
			 Waltham Forest 325 340 340 62 64 63 
			
			  South East 7,370 7,660 8,130 41 42 45 
			 Bracknell Forest 75 80 90 28 31 33 
			 Brighton and Hove 370 395 465 81 86 99 
			 Buckinghamshire 290 330 345 25 29 30 
			 East Sussex 445 480 520 43 46 50 
			 Hampshire 1,020 1,085 1,105 37 39 40 
			 Isle of Wight 200 195 180 73 72 68 
			 Kent 1,355 1,415 1,455 44 46 47 
			 Medway Towns 330 310 350 56 53 60 
			 Milton Keynes 210 225 260 38 40 45 
			 Oxfordshire 405 415 450 30 30 33 
			 Portsmouth 260 285 295 68 74 77 
			 Reading 215 195 205 74 66 67 
			 Slough 120 135 175 42 45 57 
			 Southampton 270 290 375 63 67 86 
			 Surrey 795 820 770 33 34 32 
			 West Berkshire 115 95 125 32 27 34 
			 West Sussex 755 745 785 46 45 48 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 75 90 105 22 27 32 
			 Wokingham 70 65 80 19 19 22 
			
			  South West 4,520 4,710 5,000 43 45 47 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 130 120 140 38 35 40 
			 Bournemouth 160 180 205 56 62 69 
			 Bristol, City of 665 650 650 84 82 81 
			 Cornwall 415 460 450 40 44 43 
			 Devon 555 540 620 38 37 43 
			 Dorset 280 265 275 35 33 34 
			 Gloucestershire 390 465 490 32 38 40 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North Somerset 175 195 230 41 46 53 
			 Plymouth 370 380 435 74 76 88 
			 Poole 105 115 120 37 41 42 
			 Somerset 375 395 430 33 36 39 
			 South Gloucestershire 170 180 185 31 32 33 
			 Swindon 220 240 245 52 55 56 
			 Torbay 175 180 180 67 70 70 
			 Wiltshire 335 340 350 33 33 34 
			 n/a = Not applicable. (1) Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements. (2 )Historical data may differ from older publications. This is mainly due to the implementation of amendments and, corrections sent by some local authorities after the publication date of previous materials. (3) England totals have been rounded to the nearest 100. Regional totals have been rounded to the nearest 10. Other numbers have been rounded to the nearest five. (4) The rates per 10,000 children under 18 years have been derived using the mid-year population estimates for 2009 provided by the Office for National Statistics. (5) In 2009, Cheshire local authority split into Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester. Similarly, Bedfordshire LA split into Bedford and Central Bedfordshire.  Source: SSDA 903

Children in Care: Ethnic Groups

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children in care are from an ethnic minority background.

Tim Loughton: 26% of children looked after at 31 March 2010 are from an ethnic minority background. This information can also be obtained from table A1 in the Statistical First Release, titled "Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)-year ending 31 March 2010". This can be found at the following link:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000960/index.shtml
	Table A1 is located within the Excel link titled "England Summary tables". An extract of this table is as follows:
	
		
			  Children looked after at 31 March by ethnicity( 1,2) , year ending 31 March 2010, Coverage: England 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 All children looked after at 31 March 64,400 100 
			
			 Ethnic origin 64,400 100 
			  White 49,000 76 
			 White British 47,100 73 
			 White Irish 390 1 
			 Traveller of Irish heritage 30 (3)- 
			 Gypsy/Roma 50 (3)- 
			 Any other White background 1,500 2 
			
			  Mixed 5,500 8 
			 White and Black Caribbean 2,000 3 
			 White and Black African 520 1 
			 White and Asian 840 1 
			 Any other mixed background 2,100 3 
			
			  Asian or Asian British 3,200 5 
			 Indian 320 (3)- 
			 Pakistani 740 1 
			 Bangladeshi 410 1 
			 Any other Asian background 1,700 3 
			
			  Black or Black British 4,500 7 
			 Caribbean 1,600 3 
			 African 2,100 3 
			 Any other Black background 840 1 
			
			  Other ethnic groups 1,800 3 
			 Chinese 130 (3)- 
			 Any other ethnic group 1,600 3 
			
			  Other 420 1 
			 Refused 30 (3)- 
			 Information not yet available 390 1 
			 (1) Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100 if they exceed 1,000, and to the nearest 10 otherwise. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.  (2) Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.  (3) Negligible. Percentage below 0.5% .   Source:  SSDA 903.

Children in Care: Social Workers

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effects of rate of turnover of staff social workers in children's homes on the level of care for looked after children.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education does not collect information on the recruitment and retention rates of social workers working with looked after children; this information is held by the organisations that employ them.
	However, we know that for looked after children the stability of a child's relationship with their social worker can be vitally important. This is made clear by Roger Morgan, the Children's Rights Director, in his reports "Children's Views on Social Workers" (2006) and "Life in Children's Homes" (2009). These reports can be found at:
	http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Care/Children-s-rights

Children: Disability

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much money his Department plans to spend on mobility for disabled children in residential schools in each local authority area in the financial year  (a) 2013-14 and  (b) 2014-15.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not hold the information requested. It is for local authorities to determine how they spend their funds locally.

Children: Social Services

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for his Department's funding of disabled children's services  (a) after March 2011 and  (b) in Sunderland from 2010 to 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah Teather: Funding for short breaks for carers of disabled children will be provided through the new Early Intervention Grant (EIG) from April 2011. Local authorities received details of their EIG allocation in December 2010. We have made over £800 million available to local authorities over the spending review period for the provision of short breaks for disabled children and their families, which represents a small increase in available funding compared to the 2010-11 financial year. As this funding is not ring-fenced it will be for local authorities to determine how they use that resource to best effect, including what services would be funded for families with disabled children. However, local authorities must consider how they will meet the new legal duty to provide a range of short breaks to carers of disabled children.
	We have recently introduced "The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011", these regulations prescribe how local authorities must perform their duty in primary legislation to provide short break services in order to assist carers of disabled children.

Children's Plan

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the status is of the 2007 Children's Plan.

Tim Loughton: The Children's Plan was published by the previous government and set out the priorities for the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
	In November 2010 the Department for Education published a business plan which sets out the Department's structural reform priorities. Since then we have published a Schools White Paper-"The importance of Teaching" and a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Green Paper-"Support and Aspiration". All these publications are available on our website.

Departmental Advertising

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department and each of its non-departmental public bodies spent on advertising in the latest period for which figures are available.

Tim Loughton: Advertising spend by the Department and its non-departmental public bodies as part of marketing activity from the beginning of the financial year 2010/11 until today is outlined as follows:
	 DfE
	Parent Know How: £122,846
	 TDA
	Teacher Recruitment: £1,456,610.

Departmental Location

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will bring forward proposals to relocate  (a) staff and  (b) offices of his Department to Brighton; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: The Department is currently nearing the end of its national estates strategy review. The current spending controls on Government property, including the moratorium on lease breaks and expiries, mean it is already clear that the Department is very unlikely to be acquiring or relocating to any new buildings or locations in the UK. The Department has three of its four main sites located outside of London and is committed to achieving efficiency savings through further rationalisation and reduction of property in London and elsewhere across the education family.
	Should this position change, we will make an announcement of our plans. Any consideration will be based on the Department having a workforce capability to deliver the coalition Government's challenging education agenda as well as live within the Department's recent spending review settlement.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department has spent on  (a) salaries and  (b) pension entitlements for special advisers in the financial year 2010-11 to date.

Tim Loughton: Details of special advisers pay bands were released by the Cabinet Office and are available at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases.
	The website lists the names of the special advisers in post in each Department and details each special adviser's pay band, actual salary where it is £58,200 or higher, together with details of special advisers' pay ranges for 2010-11. It also shows the total pay bill cost of special advisers for the period up to 31 March 2011. The estimated pay bill includes pension costs, and details of pension arrangements are set out in the "Model contract for Special Advisers", available at the same link.

Departmental Pay

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will ensure his Departmental organisational chart includes the names and responsibilities of all staff paid over £58,200 per annum in his Department and in the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible.

Tim Loughton: The coalition Government are committed to improving transparency and the Coalition programme includes commitments to publish salary information for the most senior civil servants and to publish organograms for the entire organisation.
	As a first step, the Government published the details of 345 senior officials in Departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies in post at 31 March 2010 whose rate of pay was £150,000 or more. Publication of name, job title and base salary details was then extended to some lower levels of the senior civil service (SCS) as part of the organograms that were published last October.
	Although individualised salary details for the most junior level of the SCS (Pay Bands 1 and 1A) were not released, the numbers and grades of staff in each of their teams and the total salary costs of that team were published. Organograms will next be updated by the end of May to show structures as at 31 March 2011.
	Good progress is being made across the civil service and beyond in improving transparency of how Government works and uses its resources. We are now in a period of consolidating and embedding transparency processes into business as usual. We are always looking to go further and we will continue over the coming months to review, and where necessary improve, the quality and extent of data being released.

Departmental Procurement

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the cost to the public purse was of the  (a) procurement and  (b) outsourcing function of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) non-departmental public body and (B) non-ministerial Department for which he is responsible in the last financial year for which figures are available.

Tim Loughton: The costs of the procurement function in the Department and the non-departmental public bodies are presented in the following table. In all cases there is no separate outsourcing function. The cost of administering outsourcing arrangements is included within the procurement functions of those organisations.
	
		
			  2009-10 
			  Organisation  £ 
			 Department for Education 3,543,100 
			 BECTA 279,909 
			 CAFCASS 113,563 
			 Children's Workforce Development Council 252,607 
			 National College for School Leadership 639,504 
			 Ofsted 635,832 
			 Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 784,002 
			 Training and Development Agency for Schools 345,955 
		
	
	Costs of the procurement and outsourcing functions for Partnership for Schools, Schools Food Trust, General Teaching Council for England and the Office for the Children's Commissioner are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

Disabilities: Public Expenditure

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment his Department has carried out on the effects of measures announced as a result of the June 2010 Budget and the Comprehensive Spending Review on people with disabilities.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 18 January 2011
	The Department for Education seeks to promote equality of opportunity for people with disabilities, in particular children and young people, in all its policy development. The Department has taken this into account, in the development of all policies resulting from announcements made at the June 2010 Budget and the 2010 Spending Review.
	A number of specific measures have been announced that show the Department's commitment to people with disabilities: The recently published SEN Green Paper set out proposals for the biggest programme of reform in the education and health support for children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities in 30 years. The Department has also made over £800 million available to local authorities over the spending review period for the provision of short breaks for disabled children and their families which represents an increase in available funding compared with the 2010-11 financial year.

Education: Assessments

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what proportion of students measured as having obtained five or more GCSEs at grade C or above or equivalent of that achievement included a non-GCSE qualification in the last academic year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: Overall, 75.4 per cent of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at grade C or above which could include equivalent qualifications in the year 2010.
	56.3 per cent of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs including short courses but not including equivalents at grade C or above in the year 2010.
	19.1 percent of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at grade C or above using equivalent qualifications in the year 2010.
	 Source:
	Statistical First Release "GCSE and Equivalent Results in England, 2009/10 (Revised)"- Table 5
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000985/index.shtml

Education: Finance

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department plans to provide sustainable funding for Aids to Communication in Education centres through continuation of the Alternative and Augmentative Communication grants programme.

Sarah Teather: holding answer 1 March 2011
	We are looking to make provision for grants to support augmentative and alternative communication in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Voluntary and Community Sector Prospectus. The Prospectus was announced in our Green Paper "Support and aspiration: a new approach to special educational needs and disability: A consultation", published on 9 March 2011.

Educational Psychology

Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many educational psychologists are employed by each local education authority.

Sarah Teather: The following table provides the full-time equivalent number of educational psychologists in service in local authorities in England in January 2009. Figures for 2010 will not be available until April 2011 when the results of the November 2010 school workforce census are published.
	
		
			  Full-time equivalent educational psychologists in service in local authority( 1)  maintained schools by local authority and Government office region, January 2009, England 
			   Number (FTE) 
			  England 2,160 
			   
			 Gateshead 10 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 10 
			 North Tyneside 10 
			 South Tyneside 10 
			 Sunderland 10 
			 Hartlepool 10 
			 Middlesbrough 10 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 10 
			 Stockton on Tees 10 
			 Durham (post 1 April 1997) 20 
			 Darlington 10 
			 Northumberland 20 
			  North East 130 
			   
			 Cumbria 10 
			 Cheshire (post 1 April 1998) 20 
			 Halton 10 
			 Warrington 10 
			 Bolton 10 
			 Bury 10 
			 Manchester 10 
			 Oldham 10 
			 Rochdale 10 
			 Salford 10 
			 Stockport 10 
			 Tameside 10 
			 Trafford 10 
			 Wigan 30 
			 Lancashire (post 1 April 1998) 50 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 10 
			 Blackpool 10 
			 Knowsley 10 
			 Liverpool 10 
			 St Helens 10 
			 Sefton 20 
			 Wirral 10 
			  North West 300 
			   
			 Kingston-upon-Hull, City of 10 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 10 
			 North East Lincolnshire 10 
			 North Lincolnshire 10 
			 North Yorkshire (post 1 April 1996) 20 
			 York 10 
			 Barnsley 10 
			 Doncaster 10 
			 Rotherham 10 
			 Sheffield 20 
			 Bradford 20 
			 Calderdale 10 
			 Kirklees 20 
			 Leeds 20 
			 Wakefield 10 
			  Yorkshire and the Humber 200 
			   
			 Derbyshire (post 1 April 1997) 30 
			 Derby 10 
			 Leicestershire (post 1 April 1997) 20 
			 Leicester 10 
			 Rutland (2)- 
			 Lincolnshire 30 
			 Northamptonshire 30 
			 Nottinghamshire (post 1 April 1998) 30 
			 Nottingham 10 
			  East Midlands 170 
			   
			 Herefordshire (2)- 
			 Worcestershire 20 
			 Shropshire (post 1 April 1998) (2)- 
			 Telford and Wrekin 10 
			 Staffordshire (post 1 April 1997) 30 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 10 
			 Warwickshire 20 
			 Birmingham 40 
			 Coventry 10 
			 Dudley 10 
			 Sandwell 20 
			 Solihull 10 
			 Walsall 10 
			 Wolverhampton 20 
			  West Midlands 220 
			   
			 Cambridgeshire (post 1 April 1998) (2)- 
			 Peterborough 10 
			 Norfolk 30 
			 Suffolk 20 
			 Bedfordshire (post 1 April 1997) 10 
			 Luton 10 
			 Essex (post 1 April 1998) 20 
			 Southend-on-Sea 10 
			 Thurrock 10 
			 Hertfordshire 40 
			  East of England 160 
			   
			 Camden 10 
			 City of London (2)- 
			 Hackney 10 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 10 
			 Haringey 10 
			 Islington 10 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 10 
			 Lambeth 20 
			 Lewisham 10 
			 Newham 10 
			 Southwark 20 
			 Tower Hamlets 20 
			 Wandsworth 10 
			 Westminster 10 
			  Inner London 160 
			   
			 Barking and Dagenham 10 
			 Barnet 10 
			 Bexley 10 
			 Brent 20 
			 Bromley 10 
			 Croydon 10 
			 Ealing 20 
			 Enfield 20 
			 Greenwich 20 
			 Harrow 10 
			 Havering 10 
			 Hillingdon 10 
			 Hounslow 10 
			 Kingston upon Thames 10 
			 Merton 10 
			 Redbridge 10 
			 Richmond upon Thames (2)- 
			 Sutton 10 
			 Waltham Forest 10 
			  Outer London 220 
			  London 380 
			   
			 Bracknell Forest (2)- 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 10 
			 West Berkshire 10 
			 Reading 10 
			 Slough 20 
			 Wokingham 10 
			 Buckinghamshire (post 1 April 1997) 20 
			 Milton Keynes 10 
			 East Sussex (post 1 April 1997) 20 
			 Brighton and Hove 50 
			 Hampshire (post 1 April 1997) 60 
			 Portsmouth 10 
			 Southampton 10 
			 Isle of Wight 10 
			 Kent (post 1 April 1998) 50 
			 Medway 10 
			 Oxfordshire 20 
			 Surrey 30 
			 West Sussex 30 
			  South East 370 
			   
			 Isles of Scilly (2)- 
			 Bath and North East Somerset (2)- 
			 City of Bristol 40 
			 North Somerset 10 
			 South Gloucestershire 10 
			 Cornwall 30 
			 Devon (post 1 April 1998) 30 
			 Plymouth (2)- 
			 Torbay (2)- 
			 Dorset (post 1 April 1997) 20 
			 Poole 10 
			 Bournemouth 10 
			 Gloucestershire 20 
			 Somerset 30 
			 Wiltshire (post 1 April 1997) 20 
			 Swindon 10 
			  South West 230 
			 (1) Maintained sector only. Teachers in academies (including those that were previously maintained schools) are not included. (2) Nil or neglible.  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: Annual Survey of Teachers in Service and Teacher Vacancies, Form 618g.

Free Schools

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the powers of local authority scrutiny committees to overturn decisions on the location of free schools.

Nick Gibb: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the role of local authority scrutiny committees in relation to the location of free schools.

GCSE

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children  (a) in care and  (b) not in care (i) gained five GCSEs and (ii) subsequently went to university in each year of the last 10 years.

Tim Loughton: Information on the percentage of looked after children who achieve five GCSEs is available in table 3.1 of the Departments Statistical First Release, Outcomes for Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England, as at 31 March 2010. This shows the percentage of children looked after continuously for 12 months at 31 March who achieved five or more GCSEs (including equivalents) for all years since 2006. Information on years prior to 2006 is not available from this data source. The publication can be found at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000978/index.shtml
	Information taken from table 3.1 is as follows; this follows the current practice of comparing the GCSE performance of children looked after continuously for 12 months with that of all children. Information on the GCSE performance of children not in care can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Table 1: Key stage 4 performance of children who have been looked after continuously for at least 12 months at 31 March( 1)  compared to key stage 4 performance of all children. Years: 2006-2010; Coverage: England 
			Percentage of children who achieved (GCSE or equivalent): 
			   Number eligible to sit GCSEs( 2)  Entered for at least one GCSE or equivalent  Entered for at least five GCSEs or equivalent  Any pass  5+ GCSEs at grades A*-G  5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C  5+GCSEs at grades A*-C including English and mathematics 
			 Children looked after continuously for 12 months(1)
			 2006 4,900 62.5 49.0 61.8 40.7 11.8 5.9 
			 2007 4,900 61.8 48.5 61.3 40.8 13.5 6.9 
			 2008 5,000 66.3 53.0 66.3 46.1 16.6 6.6 
			 2009 5,000 68.5 56.0 68.7 49.7 21.1 9.8 
			 2010 5,100 77.6 58.9 78.0 50.6 26.1 11.6 
			 
			 All children(3)
			 2006 648,800 92.3 97.5 97.3 90.1 59.0 45.6 
			 2007 655,100 94.4 99.5 93.0 90.9 61.4 45.3 
			 2008 653,000 93.8 99.1 S8.6 91.6 65.3 47.6 
			 2009 634,500 93.8 94.3 98.9 92.3 70.0 49.8 
			 2010 639,700 98.8 94.3 99.0 92.7 75.3 53.4 
			 (1) Children looked after continuously for at least 12 months as at 31 March excluding those children in respite care. (2) Number of eligible children based on those aged 15 at the start of the academic year, i.e. 31 August. (3 )Figures for all children are taken from Statistical First Release, GCSE and Equivalent Results in England, 2009/10 (Revised). Figures on GCSE entries are taken from equivalent earlier publications.  Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.  Source: CLA-JPD matched data 
		
	
	Information on the GCSE attainment of children looked after continuously for 12 months for years prior to 2006 relates to all children looked after continuously at 30 September each year. Please note that because these data have been derived from a different data source and include a different cohort of children, the percentages given in the following table below are not directly comparable with those shown in table 1 above. Information on the percentage of children looked after continuously for 12 months at 30 September who achieved five or more A* to C grade GCSEs including English and mathematics or the percentage of these children entered for GCSEs is not available. The available information is shown in table 2:
	
		
			  Table 2: GCSE performance of children who have been looked after continuously for 12 months at 30 September each year 2002 to 2005. Coverage: England 
			  Children 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Percentage of children looked after continuously for 12 months at 30 September who obtained at least: 
			 1 GCSE at grade A* to G or a GNVQ 53.2 52.9 56.1 60.2 
			 5 GCSEs (and GNVQ equivalent) at grade A* to G 36.3 35.8 39.4 40.7 
			 5 GCSEs (and GNVQ equivalent) at grade A* to C 7.5 8.7 9.4 10.8 
			  
			 Percentage of all children who obtained at least(1): 
			 1 GCSE at grade A* to G or a GNVQ 94.6 94.8 95.9 96.4 
			 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade A* to G 88.9 88.8 88.8 89.0 
			 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade A* to C 51.6 52.9 53.7 56.3 
			 (1) Comparison data for all children taken from GCSE/GNVQ and GCE A/AS/VCE//Advanced GNVQ Examination Results 2004-05-England. Issued January 2006.  Source: OC2 
		
	
	Information on the number of looked after children who go on to university is not available. However the Department does collect information on the number of former care leavers now aged 19 but who were looked after when aged 16, who are in higher education. This information is published in table G1 of the Department's Statistical First Release, Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers)-year ending 31 March 2010. This publication can be found at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000960/index.shtml
	An extract of this table showing information for all years since 2002 is given in table 3. Information for years prior to 2002 is not available.
	
		
			  Table 3: Children aged 19 years old at 31 March who were looked after in their 17th year, who are in higher education( 1,2) . Years: 2002-10; Coverage: England 
			   Year ending 31 March( 3) : 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010 
			 All children aged 13 yean old who were looked after three years earlier when aged 16 years old 4,700 4,900 5,100 5,200 5,300 5,800 5,800 6,100 6,200 
			   
			 Percentage in higher education, i.e. studies beyond A level(4) 5 6 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 
			 Full-time (5)- (5)- (5)- (5)- (5)- 6 6 7 7 
			 Part-time (5)- (5)- (5)- (5)- (5)- (6)- (6)- (6)- (6)- 
			 (1) Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. (2) Figures exclude children who were looked alter when aged 16 (and in their 17th year) under an agreed series of short-term placements. (3) Historical data may differ from older publications. This is mainly due to the implementation of amendments and corrections sent by some local authorities after the publication date of previous materials. (4) Information on children undertaking part-time and full-time study was collected for the first time in 2007. (5) Not available. (6) Negligible. Percentage below 0.5%.  Source: SSDA 903 
		
	
	Information on the percentage of children not in care attending university is not available. Information on the participation of all 19-year-olds in higher education is produced by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. Information on participation has been provided and is shown in table 4.
	Please note that this information gives the initial participation rates for 19-year-old English domiciled first-time participants at UK higher education (HE) institutions and English, Scottish and Welsh further education colleges. The figures relate to the number of students entering HE for the first time in that academic year, not the total number of 19-year-old students in HE in a given year. Please also note that a new method of calculation was introduced for 2006/07, figures from this year onwards are not comparable with figures for earlier years.
	
		
			  Table 4: Higher education initial participation rates for 19-year-old English domiciled first-time participants-UK higher education institutions, English, Welsh and Scottish further education colleges. Academic years 2002/03 to 2009/10 
			  Academic year  Initial entrants  Population  Initial participation rate (%) 
			 2002/03 60,420 609,000 9.9 
			 2003/04 61,260 633,400 9.7 
			 2004/05 62,170 663,800 9.4 
			 2005/06 64,130 662,400 9.7 
			 2006/07 58,350 675,900 8.6 
			 
			 New methodology
			 2006/07 61,395 675,900 9.1 
			 2007/08 69,835 693,000 10.1 
			 2008/09 73,225 685,400 10.7 
			  Note: Entrant figures have been rounded to the nearest five, and population estimates rounded to the nearest 100.  Source: Participation Rates in Higher Education Statistical First Release.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for the  (a) teaching and  (b) funding of the post-16 International Baccalaureate diploma.

Nick Gibb: We want state schools and colleges to be able to choose from the best qualifications-hence schools are free to offer the accredited level 3 qualifications which they consider are right for their pupils, including the International Baccalaureate diploma.
	Funding for the post-16 International Baccalaureate in 2011/12 is the same as it was in 2010/11. The 16-19 funding formula is currently being reviewed and we will ensure that we take into account issues relating to the delivery of the International Baccalaureate as part of that review.

Literacy: Teaching Methods

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to paragraph 10 of the executive summary of the Schools White Paper, if he will assess the potential effects of introducing a Year 1 phonics screening test on his Department's aim to give teachers renewed freedom and authority; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: "The Importance of Teaching" describes how the Government will give teachers renewed freedom and authority to improve schools. It also makes clear the importance of setting clear expectations for what children must know and be able to do at each stage in their education.
	It is of fundamental importance that all children learn how to read early in their education. Despite the efforts of teachers and parents, 15% of children did not reach the expected level in reading at the end of Key Stage 1 last year. It is vital that we identify those children at an early stage and ensure that they get the extra help they need.
	Research evidence shows that systematic teaching of synthetic phonics is the best way of teaching reading. The Year 1 phonics screening check will confirm that children are able to decode using phonics by the end of Year 1 and identify those pupils who need additional support.

National Curriculum in England Review

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2011,  Official Report, column 1009W, on departmental procurement, what responsibilities Professor Dylan Wiliam, Professor Andrew Pollard and Professor Mary James were allocated on the expert panel for the National Curriculum Review; what were the periods of their contracts; whether they were contracted on a full-time basis; and what criteria were used to appoint the members of this expert panel.

Nick Gibb: The terms of reference for the Expert Panel have been published on the Department for Education's website. They can be viewed at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/nationalcurriculum
	Professor Wiliam and Professor James have respectively entered into contracts with the Department to provide up to 50 days support to the review over a period of 10 months from December 2010, while Professor Pollard has been contracted to provide up to 75 days of support the review over that same period. Professors James, Pollard and Wiliam were selected to join the Expert Panel on the basis of their outstanding experience, expertise and standing in the education community.

Outdoor Learning

Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the contribution of the Minister of State of 15 December 2010,  Official Report, column 290WH, on outdoor learning, what progress has been made in examination of the possibility of an insurance scheme for schools.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education is investigating insurance related expenditure made by schools to determine whether a national approach for one or more types of insurance would save money for schools.
	The focus so far has been on property insurance because of its significant value. Information published by the Department for Communities and Local Government show that in the financial year 2008/09, maintained schools in England spent a total of £236.7 million on insurance with £107.8 million on property insurance (45.5%), and £3.7 million on transport insurance (1.5%).

Partnership For Schools

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what the salary was of the chief executive of Partnership for Schools in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  when he last met the chief executive of Partnership for Schools.

Nick Gibb: The 2009-10 salary of the chief executive of Partnerships for Schools was £216,199.
	The chief executive of Partnerships for Schools (PfS) meets regularly with Ministers from the Department for Education, including the Secretary of State for Education, the right hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove). The last meeting between the chief executive of PfS and the Secretary of State took place on 14 March 2011.

Plants

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department has spent on indoor and outdoor plants and trees since his appointment.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has a nil spend for the procurement of indoor and outdoor plants and trees since May 2010.

Pupil Exclusions: Dartford

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children were permanently excluded from  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in Dartford constituency in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is shown in the table:
	
		
			  Maintained primary and state-funded secondary schools( 1, 2:) : Number of permanent exclusions( 3 ) 2004/05 to 2008/09 in Dartford parliamentary constituency 
			   Maintained primary schools( 1)  State-funded secondary schools( 1, 2) 
			 2004/05 (4)- 36 
			 2005/06 0 24 
			 2006/07 (4)- 40 
			 2007/08 (4)- 18 
			 2008/09 0 10 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes city technology colleges and academies. (3) Estimates based on incomplete pupil-level data. (4) Fewer than 5 pupils.  Source:  School Census

Schools

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what information his Department holds on the proportion of  (a) seven,  (b) 10 and  (c) 14 year olds who walk to school.

Nick Gibb: The requested information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Maintained p rimary( 1) , state-funded s econdary( 1,2)  and special s chools( 3) :  N umber and percentage of pupils who walked to s chool( 4)  as at January 2010 ,  England 
			  Pupils aged( 5)  Number  Percentage 
			 7 299,460 56.2 
			 10 303,440 53.9 
			 14 232,830 40.9 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes city technology colleges and academies. (3) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes genera! hospital schools. (4) Includes solely registered pupils only. Excludes boarders. (5) Age as at 31 August 2009.  Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  School Census 
		
	
	The latest available information on pupils' mode of travel can be found in the 'Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics: January 2010' Statistical First Release in Table D.
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000925/index.shtml

Schools Sports Partnerships

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what schools he has visited for the purpose of formulating his policy on the Schools Sports Partnership programme; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), and his ministerial colleagues have visited many schools and other organisations since May 2010 in order to gain a better understanding of education issues and to explore options relating to various policy areas. Some of these have been within their own constituencies, and some outside of them. Ministers have been able to use the visits to inform their thinking in relation to developing policy in this area.

Schools: Assessments

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the weighted average Key Stage 2 to 4 contextual value-added results were in maintained schools  (a) with and  (b) without a sixth form (i) nationally and (ii) in each local authority area in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: Contextual value added was introduced into the Performance Tables in 2006 to replace the value added model. The following table shows the average contextual value added (CVA) score for the years 2006 to 2010 for maintained mainstream schools. The number of schools used in the calculation is given in brackets.
	Providing these figures at local authority area can be done only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Secondary  s chools without sixth forms  Secondary s chools with sixth forms 
			   CVA  s core  Lower confidence limit  Upper confidence limit  CVA  s core  Lower confidence limit  Upper confidence limit 
			 2006 1000.0 (1313) 999.7 1000.2 1000.4 (1793) 1000.2 1000.6 
			 2007 1001.5 (1257) 1001.3 1001.8 1000.4 (1788) 1000.2 1000.6 
			 2008 1001.7 (1265) 1001.4 1001.9 1000.6 (1828) 1000.4 1000.8 
			 2009 1001.4 (1197) 1001.1 1001.7 1001.0 (1887) 1000.8 1001.2 
			 2010 999.5 (1119) 999.2 999.8 1001.0 (1939) 1000.7 1001.2 
			  Notes: 1. For Contextual Value Added scores it is standard practice to give the upper and lower confidence limits. 2. The coefficients used in the CVA calculation are only calculated once in the CVA process on unamended (provisional) data. The school checking exercise generally sees some increase/improvement in results and therefore this can increase the national average to just above 1000 on the revised and final data. 3. Figures for 2010 are revised, all other figures are final.  Source: The Secondary School Performance Tables

Schools: Sports

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much of his Department's funding for the Schools Sport Partnership in 2010-11 will be  (a) retained by and  (b) distributed via the School Grant Distribution Formula in 2011-12.

Tim Loughton: None of the funding for school sport partnerships is going into the school grant distribution formula in 2011-12. This is because we are continuing to fund school sport through other, more direct, means.
	At the end of February this year, funding of £47 million was paid to school sport partnerships from the existing sport budget for the financial year 2010-11. This covers their work up until the end of the summer term 2011. This grant is being used to fund the provision of physical education and sport, to embed existing good practice throughout the system and to introduce sporting competitions for more pupils as part of the coalition Government's school games. This is in addition to £71 million already paid to partnerships in October 2010, which included full swimming and coaching grants for the current school year.
	Ring-fenced funding for school sport partnerships will not continue beyond the summer term 2011. Instead, the Department will make available £65 million of new funding for schools to enable them to provide more opportunities for competitive sport. The funding will cover the school year 2011/12 and 2012/13 and will pay for one day a week of a secondary PE teacher's time to be spent out of the classroom, encouraging greater take-up of competitive sport in primary schools and securing a fixture network for schools to increase the amount of intra and inter-school competition. We are currently exploring the best way to get this money out to schools.
	In addition, at the Sports Colleges conference in Telford in February, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, the right hon. Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt) announced outline plans for a network of school games organisers from September 2011. These organisers will be funded by the Department of Health and Sport England for three days a week to help schools sign up for the nationwide school games. Further details on the funding for these organiser posts and their precise roles will be announced shortly. If they wish, head teachers could choose to pay for additional days for these school games organisers, if they deem them to be of value.
	Taken together, I believe this package of funding will enable schools to maximise the opportunities for competitive sport that they can provide for their pupils.

Schools: Sports

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Health on his proposed changes to school sports funding; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: Ministers from all Departments with an interest in our proposals for school sport, including the Secretary of State for Health, have been involved in discussions about them. In addition, officials at the Departments for Education and for Culture, Media and Sport have weekly meetings with their opposite numbers at the Department of Health about the School Games.

Schools: Sports

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of  (a) the change in the number of children able to participate in sports activities as a result of his proposed changes to school sports funding and  (b) the number of children he expects to take part in his proposed School Olympics.

Tim Loughton: The proposed changes to schools sports funding will give schools greater freedom to decide what sports to offer and to provide pupils more opportunities to get involved in a variety of sports; this will benefit more students.
	As set out in the Government's recent White Paper, "The Importance of Teaching", physical education and sport in schools are important issues for the coalition Government. We want all young people to be able to benefit from participating in the nationwide School Games. The Department for Education is working closely with the Departments for Health and for Culture, Media and Sport and with Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust to ensure that the new School Games will created opportunities for competitive sport for all pupils, whatever their abilities.

Schools: Sports

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the likely effect on participation in non-competitive sport of his proposed changes to school sports funding; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: All schools will benefit from the planned changes in the Government's approach to school sport. In removing all the unnecessary targets and reporting arrangements placed on schools by the old system, we are freeing them up to provide more opportunities that are most appropriate for their own pupils.
	The removal of centrally driven, top down programmes will also mean that schools will have more flexibility to use their front-line funding in areas which they identify as their own priorities. This includes non-competitive sport.
	The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has announced that physical education will remain a compulsory subject at all four key stages following the current review of the national curriculum. This will ensure that every child has a statutory entitlement to a broad and balanced programme of physical education throughout their compulsory schooling.
	In addition, over the next two academic years, we are making available £65 million to improve provision for school sport. This funding will cover the release from timetable of a PE teacher in every secondary school for one day a week to work with local primary schools to improve provision for PE and school sport.

Schools: Sports

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of schools not involved in competitive sports with other schools.

Tim Loughton: The PE and Sport Survey 2009/10 collected data from schools relating to the provision and take up of PE and sport in schools. The survey showed that 270 schools with Key Stage 2 pupils and 70 schools with secondary age pupils reported that none of their pupils were involved in any competitive sporting activities with other schools over the course of the year.
	The survey also showed that 1,950 schools with Key Stage 2 pupils and 710 schools with secondary age pupils reported that none of their pupils were involved in regular competitive sporting activities with other schools over the course of the year.
	Regular inter-school competitive sport was defined as three times or more during the year for pupils in Key Stage 2, and nine times or more for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4.

Schools: Sports

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of attainment in examinations by pupils at specialist sports colleges; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has made no recent formal assessment of the trends in levels of attainment in examinations by pupils at specialist sport colleges. However, data published by the Youth Sport Trust in February this year showed that 47% of pupils at specialist sports colleges achieved five or more GCSE passes at grades A*-C (including English and maths), compared to the national average of 50%. The Youth Sport Trust data also showed the trends in GCSE performance in this area, as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   2006  2007  2008  2009 
			 National average 46 47 48 50 
			 Specialist Sports Colleges 40 42 45 47

Schools: Sports

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of year one to 11 pupils took part in inter-school sport in the academic years  (a) 2003-04 and  (b) 2009-10.

Tim Loughton: Information about the proportion of year one to 11 pupils taking part in inter-school sport is only available from the 2006/07 academic year, and therefore we have provided figures for this academic year instead of 2003/04.
	In 2006/07, 35% of pupils in years one to 11 in maintained schools and Academies took part in inter-school sport. In 2009/10 the proportion was 49%.

Schools: Sports

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which schools in Redditch constituency have received school sports grants; and how much was paid to each.

Tim Loughton: The table sets out the amount of grant paid to each institution in the Redditch constituency in 2009/10. Sports grant is paid to school sport partnerships via the 'hub' school. The grant is allocated on the basis of the number of schools in the partnership, based on the standard funding formula:
	each secondary school has a school sport co-ordinator at £17,970 (£19,767 in London); and
	each primary school has 12 primary link teacher days at a total of £2,015 (£2,156 in London).
	
		
			  Type of institution  School name  Amount of funding (£) 
			 Further Education Sports College North East Worcestershire College 13,050 
			 Primary school Abbeywood First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Astwood Bank First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Batchley First and Nursery School 2,015 
			 Primary school Feckenham CofE First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Harry Taylor First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Holyoakes Field First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Matchborough First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Moons Moat First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Oak Hill First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Roman Way First School 2,015 
			 Primary school St Georges CofE First School 2,015 
			 Primary school St Lukes CofE First School 2,015 
			 Primary school St Stephens CofE First School 2,015 
			 Primary school St Thomas More Catholic First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Tenacres First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Vaynor First School 2,015 
			 Primary school Webheath First School . 2,015 
			 Primary school Woodrow First School 2,015 
			 Primary special Kingfisher School 2,015 
			 Pupil Referral Unit Holyoakes Field PRU 2,015 
			 Pupil Referral Unit Ipsley PRU 2,015 
			 Secondary school Birchensale Middle School 17,970 
			 Secondary school Church Hill Middle School 17,970 
			 Secondary school Ipsley CofE Middle School 17,970 
			 Secondary school Kingsley College 17,970 
			 Secondary school Ridgeway Middle School 17,970 
			 Secondary school St Augustines Catholic High School 17,970 
			 Secondary school St Bedes Catholic Middle School 17,970 
			 Secondary school Trinity High School and Sixth Form Centre 17,970 
			 Secondary school Walkwood CofE Middle School 17,970 
			 Secondary school Woodfield Middle School 17,970 
			 Secondary special Pitcheroak School 17,970 
			 Sports College Arrow Vale Sports College (Hub site) 71,280 
			 Total  326,330 
		
	
	In February 2011, the Department made payments of £47 million to cover the work of school sport partnerships up to the end of the summer term 2011. This was on top of grant of £71 million paid to them in October last year. In addition, from September 2011, the Department is making available funding of £65 million to pay for the release of a PE teacher from each secondary school, including those in Redditch, for one day a week to work with local primary schools to improve their provision and create more opportunities for competitive sport.

Special Educational Needs: Epilepsy

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will take steps to improve  (a) assessments and  (b) access to support for children with epilepsy and related conditions in mainstream schools.

Sarah Teather: There is no legal duty on school staff to provide medical support, to administer medication or to supervise a pupil taking it and we have no plans to change this. But it is vitally important that children and young people with long-term medical conditions, such as epilepsy, do not miss out on school life or are treated less favourably because of it. Schools are encouraged to do all they can to support the medical needs of pupils.
	To encourage schools to provide this support, this Department, together with the Department for Health, is currently reviewing the joint guidance to schools on "Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings". Our aim in reviewing the guidance is to clarify expectations. We will also reinforce the importance of proper training for members of staff and of drawing up individual care plans for all pupils with long-term medical needs. Such plans will help identify the level of support that is needed for each pupil and to clarify for staff, parents and pupils the help that will be provided. This review will also be used as an opportunity to signpost good practice and it is hoped that expert organisations, such as the Joint Epilepsy Council, can help champion this work.

Sports: Females

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will commission research on the effect on the participation in competitive sport by young women whose access to ( a) dance and ( b) aerobics classes will be affected by proposed changes to school sports funding as a result of the decision to scrap the Sport for All funding.

Tim Loughton: We have no plans to commission research specifically on the effect on the take up of  (a) dance and  (b) aerobics classes of our proposals for competitive sport as a result of changes to funding for school sport.

Teachers: Languages

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to increase the number of language teachers in primary and secondary schools.

Nick Gibb: holding  answer 22 March 2011
	 : The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), wrote to the Training and Development Agency for Schools on 31 January 2011 with the details of the initial teacher training place allocations and training bursary amounts for Academic Year 2011/12. Despite falling secondary pupil rolls and reductions in the secondary allocation overall, the secondary language place allocation has been protected with 100 more places than the previous year to take account of the introduction of the English Baccalaureate. Future year allocations will continue to take account of the English Baccalaureate and other policy developments. We are also maintaining the training bursary level for modern foreign languages at £6,000 in 2011/12 to help with recruitment.
	The Schools White Paper 2010, The Importance of Teaching, sets out the Government's commitment to attract more of the best graduates in shortage subjects, including modern foreign languages, into teaching. A strategy document will be issued for discussion later this year setting out our plans for funding initial teacher training from Academic Year 2012/13.
	We also continue to consider the funding and support structures that might best be used to improve language teaching in schools, including the primary school workforce.

Teachers: Pay

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what meetings  (a) he and  (b) each other Minister in his Department has had on pay and conditions for staff in academies since his appointment; and who was present at each such meeting.

Nick Gibb: The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) and other members of the Ministerial team have held separate meetings which covered, among other things, the topic of staff pay and conditions in academies with the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers-Chris Keates, General Secretary and Patrick Roach, Deputy General Secretary; the National Union of Teachers-Christine Blower, General Secretary; the Association of Teachers and Lecturers-Mary Bousted, General Secretary; and the Association of School and College Leaders-Brian Lightman, General Secretary and John Fairhurst, President.

Teachers: Pensions

Gordon Birtwistle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to ensure that proposed reforms to the Teachers' Pension Scheme do not discourage potential new teachers from entering the profession.

Nick Gibb: The Government are committed to ensuring that any reform of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) will continue to give teachers access to high quality pension provision. The Government have accepted Lord Hutton's recommendations for reform as a basis for consultation and will seek to engage with unions and employers to ensure the TPS remains an important part of the total remuneration that teachers receive, supporting the Government's wider policies for recruitment in the teaching profession.

Teachers: Training

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the effects of higher tuition fee rates on the propensity of individuals to take up teaching careers.

Nick Gibb: There are ongoing discussions between this Department and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills about the changes to Higher Education and student funding and the implications for the initial training of teachers. As announced in the Schools White Paper 2010 - The Importance of Teaching, we will publish for discussion later this year our detailed proposals for the funding of initial teacher training from Academic Year 2012/13.

Vocational Education: GCSE

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the average points score will be from those vocational subjects to be included in the school performance measure of five GCSE grades at A* to C including English and mathematics.

Nick Gibb: In 2010, the average points scored per pupil across all qualifications equivalent to a GCSE at grades A*-C, was 361.6. This has been shown by different qualification types in the following table. The total points scored in each qualification type divided by the total number of pupils at the end of key stage 4 gives the average points per pupil in each category and shows that, on average, a key stage 4 pupil scored 103.9 points from non-GCSE qualifications equivalent to A*-C.
	
		
			  Average point score achieved by pupils at the end of key stage 4( 1)  in level 2( 2)  qualifications that make some contribution to the achievement of 5+ A*-C including English and mathematics, by qualification type, 2010 
			  Qualification type  Average level 2 points scored by each end key stage 4 pupil 
			 GCSEs at grade A*-C (full, short and double awards) and AS levels 250.4 
			 GCSEs at grade A*-C in applied subjects 7.3 
			 Non-GCSE qualifications scoring points towards the achievement of the 5+ A*-C threshold 103.9 
			 Average point score (all qualifications equivalent to A*-C) 361.6 
			 (1) All pupils at the end of key stage 4 are included in these measures whether they achieved any level 2 qualifications or not. A pupil not achieving any result at grade A*-C or equivalent would score zero points in each category. (2) Level 2 qualifications are those which are deemed to be equivalent to GCSEs at grades A*-C-the point score and equivalence to a GCSE is determined by the size of the qualification, usually measured by guided learning hours.

Voluntary Work

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent on encouraging its staff to volunteer in each of the last five years; and how much it plans to spend in each of the next five years.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education is committed to supporting staff to volunteer. In order to support this, in previous years the Department has paid for the support of a voluntary sector brokerage organisation to help staff find and access volunteering opportunities. The total spent for this support was £4,250 in 2006/07; £10,634 in 2007/08; £13,000 in 2008/09; in 2009/10 £5,000; and £8,000 in the current financial year.
	The Department is committed to encouraging more volunteering by its staff over the next five years, and is currently reviewing its approach to ensure that all staff are able to access volunteering opportunities.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to reply to Question 26375, on his Department's funding for disabled children's services, tabled on 22 November for ordinary written answer.

Sarah Teather: A response has been issued to the hon. Member today.

Young People Substance Misuse Scheme: Finance

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department allocated to the Young People Substance Misuse scheme in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Sarah Teather: £7.0 million was allocated by DfE (then DCSF) in each of  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11. This funding was allocated to each top-tier local authority in England through the Area Based Grant. £4.0 million of this funding for each year was transferred from the Department of Health but distributed as part of the DfE allocation.

Youth Services: Standards

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will commission an evaluation of youth services in England.

Tim Loughton: The Department recently hosted a Positive for Youth Summit in association with the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS). A key theme of the summit was the evidence for investing in youth services and the impact on outcomes for young people. The Department is now taking forward the lessons from the Summit and developing a Youth policy paper in partnership with young people and youth organisations. This will be published later in the year.
	The Department has previously commissioned a number of evaluations looking at different youth service programmes. The most recent published study assessed the impact of the Youth Sector Development Fund on the effectiveness of Community Society Organisation (CSO) business models and the impact of CSO services on outcomes for young people. A copy of the report is available on the DfE website:
	http://education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DCSF-RR169
	The Department has also worked closely with a range of national stakeholders to develop a better evidence base for youth services. A recent published study by the Big Lottery Fund evaluated the set up of the  myplace facilities and their plans for generating and sustaining revenue income. A copy of the report is available at:
	http://education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/MYPLACE-INT-REP
	The Department is committed to improving the evidence base to support the delivery of youth services. It recently commissioned an evaluation of the National Citizen Service and this will generate wider lessons for youth services. The Department will also continue to work closely with stakeholders and local youth service providers to evaluate future programmes.

Youth Sport Trust

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions Ministers in his Department had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the work of the Youth Sports Trust.

Tim Loughton: Ministers have had a number of discussions with their ministerial colleagues at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, about the Government's new approach to PE and sport including the role of the Youth Sport Trust.
	Our key proposals were set out in the Secretary of State's letter of 20 October 2010 to Baroness Campbell. These include: the ending of ring-fenced funding for school sport partnerships, the Government's commitment to encourage more competitive school sport through the creation of Olympic and Paralympic-style competitions, and to stop commissioning further work from the Youth Sport Trust beyond March 2011.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

British Coal Corporation

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2011,  Official Report, column 109W, on departmental procurement, what estimate he has made of  (a) the cost to the public purse of and  (b) services to be provided under the contract for legal support, advice and claims handling associated with the former British Coal Corporation; and what services he expects to be provided.

Gregory Barker: The Department's modelling assumptions for the procurement were that the cost of the contracted services would be a maximum of c£5 million per annum. This reflected certain assumptions on the scale of work to be undertaken in the light of two ongoing group litigation actions; other generic legal advice on British Coal health related liabilities and volumes of personal injury claims (both litigated and non-litigated) received against the Department standing in the place of British Coal. The contract is for a five-year period and consequently has a total estimated maximum value of c£25 million subject to the scale of work required.
	The services to be provided are as follows:
	(i) legal advice and support for managing the Department's liabilities resulting from the former British Coal and its subsidiaries including:
	(a) leading the Department's defence in relation to the conduct of major litigation currently focused on a Group action for osteoarthritis of the knee amongst miners and a Group action for a number of cancer and respiratory claims from workers at a Phurnacite production plant in South Wales;
	(b) providing strategic legal advice on the health liabilities of British Coal;
	(c) providing advice in relation to matters which may impact upon a wide range of policy areas associated with British Coal liabilities; and
	(d) managing individual litigated claims; and
	(ii) claims handling for non-litigated claims (including claims for noise induced hearing loss) and other processing of claims related work.
	The service provider is required to cover all legal advice and claims handling in England and Wales and in Scotland.

Carbon Sequestration

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many carbon sequestration and storage projects his Department expects to support in the period of the comprehensive spending review.

Charles Hendry: The Government are committed to providing public funding from general taxation for four carbon capture and storage demonstration projects. In the spending review we confirmed up to £1 billion for the capital costs of the first demonstration project. The timing of the provision of funding for the additional three projects will be dependent on the arrangements for providing that funding and the build schedule of the projects selected to receive funding.

Carbon Sequestration

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the placing of a levy on energy supply companies to fund carbon capture and storage projects.

Charles Hendry: The Budget document published on 23 March 2011 stated that we will not proceed with a specific levy for carbon capture and storage projects. Our commitment to four demonstration projects will be funded through general taxation.

Carbon Sequestration

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the proportion of funding for carbon sequestration and storage projects which will be provided by  (a) his Department and  (b) other sources in the comprehensive spending review period.

Charles Hendry: The Budget document published on 23 March 2011 stated that the Government's commitment to four demonstration projects will be funded through general taxation. In the spending review period commencing April 2011, we have confirmed up to £1 billion for the capital costs of the first demonstration project. The timing of the provision of funding for the additional three projects will be dependent on the arrangements for providing that funding and the build schedule of the projects selected to receive funding.
	Some CCS demonstration projects may also receive funding under the European Commission's new entrants reserve funding mechanism for CCS projects of up to 50% of their eligible costs.

Carbon Sequestration

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2011,  Official Report, column 109W, on departmental procurement, on what date the project for carbon capture and storage commenced.

Charles Hendry: The then Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) published the Project Information Memorandum and Pre-Qualification Questionnaire for the "Competition for a Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage Demonstration Project" on 19 November 2007.
	The project is currently under negotiations, with contract signature expected before the end of 2011.

Departmental Local Government Finance

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much each local authority received from each  (a) revenue and  (b) capital funding stream from his Department in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how much funding his Department allocated from each such stream in each year; and what the change was in the level of funding in each such stream between those years in (A) cash and (B) real terms.

Gregory Barker: In 2010-11 the Department of Energy and Climate Change provided £3.8 million of funding to seven councils who applied for grants from schemes run by the Department. £2 million of this was provided under the Low Carbon Communities Challenge initiative. A further £1.6 million was provided for the safe management of radioactive waste, with the remainder going towards low carbon and renewable capacity assessments.
	These figures do not include any funding which local authorities or councils may have applied for under our various low carbon schemes administered by DECC's appointed delivery partners. It would incur disproportionate costs to obtain this information from delivery partners.
	No specific funding has been allocated to local authorities in 2011-12. The Department will continue to offer grants and loans under various schemes for which local authorities may elect to apply.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Renewables Advisory Board.

Gregory Barker: I refer the right hon. Member to the written ministerial statement issued by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), on 16 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 9-10WS, updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced that departments estimate cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow from public bodies over the spending review period.
	I estimate net overall administrative savings from the closure of Renewables Advisory Board of £200,000 per annum over the spending review period.
	This is our best current estimates of planned net savings to emerge from these reforms and are dependent upon the individual timetables for implementation-many of which require the Public Bodies Bill and subsequent secondary legislation.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Advisory Committee on Carbon Abatement Technologies.

Gregory Barker: On 16 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 9-10WS, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), issued a written ministerial statement updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced that departments estimated that cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion would flow from public bodies over the spending review period.
	I anticipate net overall administrative savings for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) of £1,000 per year over the spending review period as a result of the abolition of the Advisory Committee on Carbon Abatement Technologies.

Departmental Travel

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on how many occasions he has travelled by London underground on official business since his appointment.

Gregory Barker: None.

Electricity: Meters

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what reports he has received on the progress of the European Commission's Task Force on Smart Grids.

Charles Hendry: In October, the European Commission's task force for the implementation of smart grids presented my officials with provisional conclusions on the following topics: standards and interoperability, data protection and handling, and roles and responsibilities.
	We look forward to receiving the final reports in June 2011 which will help inform our discussion in the smart grid forum which we are co-chairing with Ofgem.

Energy: National Policy Statements

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to designate National Policy Statement EN-5 in respect of electricity networks infrastructure.

Charles Hendry: The Government are committed to bringing forward the energy National Policy Statements, including EN-5, for approval and designation as soon as possible. We are currently considering the nuclear National Policy Statement in light of the nuclear crisis in Japan before proceeding with the ratification process for EN-5 and the other energy National Policy Statements.

Feed-in Tariffs

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many installations of  (a) up to 50KW,  (b) 51 KW to 1MW,  (c) 1MW to 2MW,  (d) 2MW to 3MW,  (e) 3MW to 4MW and  (f) 4MW to 5MW are participating in the feed-in tariff scheme.

Gregory Barker: The following table shows the number of installations participating in the feed in tariff scheme, disaggregated by the above installed capacity bands, and technology, as at 31 December 2010.
	
		
			   Solar photovoltaics  Wind  Hydro  MicroCHP  Anaerobic digestion  Total 
			 0 to 50 kW 17,198 1,005 153 21 - 18,377 
			 51kW to sub 1MW 2 11 6 - 2 21 
			 1MW to sub 2MW - - 2 - - 2 
			 2MW to sub 3MW - - 1 - - 1 
			 3MW to sub 4 MW - - - - - - 
			 4MW to sub 5 MW - - - - - - 
			 Total 17,200 1,016 162 21 2 18,401

Fuels: Prices

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what objectives set for his Department are designed to secure the lowest fuel costs for domestic consumers.

Charles Hendry: DECC published its business plan in November 2011. This plan sets out the priorities for the Department which include the reduction of household energy use through the Green deal and to reform the energy market and work internationally to ensure the UK has a diverse, safe, secure and affordable energy system.
	A copy of the departmental business plan can be found online at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/business_plan/business_plan.aspx

Hinkley Point C Power Station

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will remove the site at Hinkley Point in Somerset from the list of locations for siting of the new generation of nuclear reactors.

Charles Hendry: The Nuclear National Policy Statement will contain a list of the sites that are potentially suitable for deployment of new nuclear power stations by 2025. The Government recently consulted on the revised draft Nuclear National Policy Statement including whether Hinkley Point is a potentially suitable site. We are now considering the responses to the consultation. The Nuclear National Policy Statement will also be considered in light of the emerging events in Japan.

Methane: Landfill

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the extent of the remaining unexploited landfill gas resources in the UK;
	(2)  what recent estimate he has made of the level of methane generated by landfills which is converted into renewable energy.

Gregory Barker: The UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2010 estimates methane generated from landfills in 2008 as 3642 Kt, of which an estimated 1164 Kt was utilised for renewable energy generation. Therefore, there remained an estimated 2478 Kt methane emitted from landfills in the UK in 2008 that was not utilised.
	Further information is set out in Table A 3.8.3, Annex 3.8, UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report 2010. A copy of this document can be viewed at:
	http://www.naei.org.uk/report_link.php?report_id=593.

Nuclear Power Stations: EU Action

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the nature is of the stress tests of operational nuclear power plants agreed at the special meeting of EU member state energy Ministers, nuclear safety regulators and operators and vendors of nuclear power plants on 15 March 2011.

Charles Hendry: At the specially convened EU meeting in Brussels on 15 March 2011 there was a general consensus that a measure to "stress test" EU nuclear power plants would be sensible and prudent. The European Council meeting on the 25 March also agreed to the proposal for "stress tests" and asked the European Commission and National Regulators to develop the criteria on the basis of the lessons to be learned from Japan.

Power Stations: Carbon Emissions

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what criteria he plans to put in place to monitor the emissions performance standards for new power plants.

Charles Hendry: The Electricity Market Reform consultation contained proposals to introduce an Emissions Performance Standard (EPS), targeted at preventing the construction and operation of new, unabated coal-fired power stations. The consultation closed on 10 March, and we are now in the process of analysing responses.
	We will now continue to work with stakeholders to develop the shape of reforms which we will take forward as final recommendations in a White Paper before summer recess.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on his decision to undertake a consultation on the fast-track review of feed-in tariffs for small-scale low-carbon electricity.

Gregory Barker: The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), has consulted with Ministers in the Scottish and Welsh Assembly Governments on proposals to begin the early review of FITs and on the fast track review proposals. There has also been contact on these proposals at official level. The Feed-in Tariff scheme does not apply in Northern Ireland.

Solar Power

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to maintain levels of employment in the solar photovoltaic manufacturing sector; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: We are committed to ensure that the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme continues to be a success. Factors such as levels of employment will be considered as part of the comprehensive review of the scheme.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's estimate is of the number of  (a) school,  (b) hospital,  (c) other public building and  (d) other community building solar photovoltaic projects between 50 and 100 kilowatts that will be installed under the feed-in tariff scheme before 1 August 2011.

Gregory Barker: The Department does not currently hold this information.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  on what date he expects the first solar farm greater than one megawatt to be  (a) installed,  (b) grid connected and  (c) commissioned under his Department's feed-in tariff scheme;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the number of solar farms greater than one megawatt that will be installed and commissioned before 1 August 2011.

Gregory Barker: The Department is aware of nine solar photovoltaic (PV) projects over 1MW receiving planning permission over the period between September 2010 and the announcement of the review of the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme on 7 February.
	The actual commissioning date for these and any other such projects will depend on a range of factors independent of the FITs scheme.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's estimate is of the change in the number of jobs in the solar industry which will result from the changes proposed in the fast-track review of feed-in tariffs for small-scale low-carbon electricity.

Gregory Barker: The Department does not hold this information at present, but we will be looking at issues of this kind as part of the comprehensive review of the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether solar photovoltaic installations which are under construction but have not received accreditation by 1 August 2011 will receive the current tariffs under the Feed-in Tariff scheme.

Gregory Barker: Under the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme, the eligibility date is set out in the modifications to the Standard Conditions of Electricity Supply Licences made by the Secretary of State under section 42(3) of the Energy Act 2008. The eligibility date is defined as the later of:
	i) receipt by Ofgem or, in the case of wind, solar PV and hydro schemes up to 50kW, a licensed FITs supplier, of an application for accreditation and registration. This application must include a range of information, including a generation meter reading.
	ii) Commissioning date.
	iii) the launch of the FIT Scheme (1 April 2010).
	Application of the regulation is the responsibility of Ofgem.

Wind Power

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure sufficient supply chain capacity to meet his targets for the construction of offshore wind power installations.

Charles Hendry: The development of the offshore wind sector, and the associated supply chain and wider service market that will support it, creates significant potential for UK employment and economic growth. While we have no technology-specific targets, the Government recognise that offshore wind is a key technology for meeting our 2020 renewables target.
	We recognise that providing sufficient confidence to wind farm developers is key to the development of the UK renewables sector, and will enable the early investment in the expansion that will be needed in supply chain capacity.
	The Renewables Obligation (RO) is currently the Government's main mechanism for incentivising large scale renewable electricity. By way of the Renewables Obligation (amendment) Order 2011, from 1 April 2011 we are introducing phasing for offshore wind generation stations, allowing developers to phase the support they receive under the RO, with each phase receiving the full 20 years of RO support RO stations. This will better reflect the construction programme of offshore wind stations.
	The recent Electricity Market Reform consultation set out proposals for a new support scheme for all low carbon technologies. We are committed to supporting investment in renewables and therefore have also consulted on the best way to transition from the RO to the new scheme. A White Paper, setting out legislative proposals to implement the new electricity arrangements as well as more details on the planned transition from the RO will be published later this year.
	We have also put in place an innovative regulatory regime for offshore electricity transmission, so that the connections to offshore wind farms can be delivered in a cost-effective, timely and secure manner. A key element of the regime is the competitive tender process run by Ofgem to appoint Offshore Transmission Owners. We consider that this will deliver cheaper and timelier offshore grid connections, encourage innovation through competition and enable new entrants to compete in the market.
	In addition, in October 2010 the Department has committed up to £60 million to support offshore wind manufacturing infrastructure at port sites, to meet the needs of offshore wind manufacturers looking to locate new facilities within the assisted areas in England.

Wind Power

Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that power utility companies auction power contracts for renewable sources for the purpose of aiding stability in future revenues to investors in wind farm projects.

Charles Hendry: The Government published proposals in the electricity market reform consultation in December 2010 to reform the electricity market arrangements to meet our decarbonisation and security of supply goals in a cost-effective way. We will publish final reforms in a White Paper before summer recess.

Wind Power

Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department plans to take to support the UK offshore wind industry in the next  (a) five,  (b) 10,  (c) 15 and  (d) 20 years.

Charles Hendry: The Department has put in place a number of steps to support the offshore wind industry.
	The renewables obligation (RO) is currently the Government's main mechanism for incentivising large scale renewable electricity. By way of the Renewables Obligation (amendment) Order 2011, from 1 April 2011 we are introducing phasing for offshore wind generation stations, allowing developers to phase the support they receive under the RO, with each phase receiving the full 20 years of RO support RO stations. This will better reflect the construction programme of offshore wind stations.
	The recent electricity market reform (EMR) consultation set out proposals for a new support scheme for all low carbon technologies. We are committed to supporting investment in renewables and therefore have also consulted on the best way to transition from the RO to the new scheme. A White Paper, setting out legislative proposals to implement the new electricity arrangements as well as more details on the planned transition from the RO will be published later this year.
	We have also put in place an innovative regulatory regime for offshore electricity transmission, so that the connections to offshore wind farms can be delivered in a cost-effective, timely and secure manner. A key element of the regime is the competitive tender process run by Ofgem to appoint offshore transmission owners (OFTOs). We consider that this will deliver cheaper and timelier offshore grid connections, encourage innovation through competition and enable new entrants to compete in the market.
	Further, in October 2010 we announced that we will commit up to £60 million to support offshore wind manufacturing infrastructure at port sites, to meet the needs of offshore wind manufacturers looking to locate new facilities within the Assisted Areas in England.

Wind Power

Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward proposals for a main cluster or region to serve as a main support area for offshore wind farms.

Charles Hendry: The development of the offshore wind sector has significant potential for employment and economic growth at UK coastal locations, and the Department has committed up to £60 million to support offshore wind manufacturing infrastructure at port sites, to meet the needs of offshore wind manufacturers looking to locate new facilities in England.
	However it is for manufacturers, developers and operators, not Government, to decide where the best locations are for their activities from a business perspective.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Credit Unions : Northern Ireland

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the funding allocated to encourage the growth of credit unions will be spent in Northern Ireland.

Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department for Work and Pensions have allocated funding of £73 million to expand and modernise third sector organisations from within its own departmental allocation. It is not within our remit to fund provision in Northern Ireland.
	During April to September the Department will manage a feasibility study to examine the scope and the options for the modernisation and expansion of the sector.
	Credit unions and other community financial institutions that already hold a contract with the Department will have the opportunity of extending those contracts, subject to selection criteria, during this time.
	Following feasibility testing, decisions will be made on the way forward and a further announcement will be made.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Boarding Schools

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department provides financial assistance to his officials for boarding school fees for their children.

Edward Davey: In the event of a member of staff being posted overseas the Department can provide an additional living cost allowance. This includes a contribution towards basic school fees in the country of posting. The last claim for such fees was paid in 2007. There is no provision to provide financial assistance for boarding school fees in the United Kingdom.

Departmental Food

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the proportion of the seafood procured for  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible that (i) was on the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to avoid and (ii) complied with sustainability standards indicated by inclusion in either the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to eat or by the list of fish species certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011 to date.

Edward Davey: The Department's conference and catering contractor Baxterstorey use two fish suppliers.
	In 2010 fish supplied from one supplier were 98% compliant to the Marine Conservation Society's red list (2% non compliance based on purchase of Plaice) during 2011 this has risen to 98.5%.
	In 2010 and 2011 fish supplied from the other supplier were 99% compliant to the Marine Conservation Society's red list (1% non compliance based on purchase of Plaice and Marlin Loin.)
	In terms of the purchase of Plaice and Marlin they fall under their own internal sustainable logic as Plaice is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list as species of least concern and Marlin is not listed at all (therefore no concern of sustainability.)
	Baxterstorey's current fish procurement processes include:
	Not purchasing any species cited as endangered on the IUCN's red list:
	www.iucn.org
	Working only with suppliers that have a strong focus on sustainable fishing practices;
	Actively promoting seasonal and sustainable purchase since 2004 promoting to our chefs website tool such as:
	www.fishonline.org/advice/eat/
	(Marine Conservation Society) and now using the good catch manual for advice and regional/seasonal species knowledge;
	Engaging with local UK fisherman working alongside organisations such as Good Catch/Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and suppliers who have been at the forefront of the sustainable fisheries movement;
	Remain focused on all aspects of sustainable seafood including animal welfare (e.g. support the use of responsibly farmed Salmon such as Freedom Food accredited farmed Salmon from Scotland which is monitored by the RSPCA);
	Only supply tinned Tuna that is sustainably and bio diversity sensitively fished; and
	Worked alongside the MSC into securing funding via DEFRA greener living fund which is enabling the MSC to further promote its sustainable options to the food service industry.
	I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office, the Intellectual Property Office and the Skills Funding Agency and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.
	Information for the Department's NDPBs is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
	  Letter from John Alty, dated 21 March 2011:
	I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 3(rd) March 2011, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The Intellectual Property Office, an operating name of the Patent Office, does not directly procure seafood.
	  Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 8 March 2011:
	Thank you for your parliamentary question addressed to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills asking the Skills Funding Agency (the Agency) to estimate the proportion of seafood it has procured that was (i) on the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to avoid and (ii) complied with sustainability standards indicated by inclusion in either the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to eat or by the list of fish species certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011 to date.
	Please be advised that the Agency does not directly purchase fish. Its caterers are committed to responsible sourcing and all fish products are sourced within UK and international regulatory guidelines.
	  Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 7 March 2011:
	The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, if he will estimate the proportion of the seafood procured for (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible that was (i) on the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to avoid and (ii) complied with sustainability standards indicated by inclusion in either the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to eat or by the list of fish species certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011 to date.
	The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills procured no fish on the Marine Society's list from 2010 to date.
	  Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 16 March 2011:
	I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 3 March 2011, U1N45043 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	Companies House does not procure seafood directly but our contracted catering provider only sources fish from approved suppliers.
	  Letter from Peter Mason, dated 17 March 2011:
	I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (NMO) to your Parliamentary Question tabled 03 March 2011, asking the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to estimate the proportion of the seafood procured for its Department, Agencies and non-departmental public bodies that was (i) on the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to avoid, and (ii) complied with sustainability standards indicated by inclusion in either the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to eat or by the list of species certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011 to date.
	NMO has responsibility for its site in Teddington that also houses the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), a Government Owned Contractor Operated body. We provide restaurant and hospitality facilities for NPL and NMO through a total facilities management contract. We have received verbal assurance from the catering sub-contractor, Baxter-Storey, that (i) no fish provided were on the list to avoid, and (ii) we have also complied with the sustainability standards mentioned above, for both the periods (A) and (B) above.

Employment: Mothers

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the proportion of mothers of children aged between nine and 12 months in each region who were in (a) full-time and (b) part-time work in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the proportion of mothers of children aged between nine and twelve months in each region who were in a) full-time and b) part-time work in each of the last five years. (48248)
	The figures requested come from the Annual Population Survey (APS) household datasets. The attached table shows estimates of women aged 16 to 64, with children aged nine to twelve months, by Government Office Region for 2005 to 2009.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty as different samples give different results.
	
		
			  Table: Percentage of mothers( 1) , whose youngest child is aged 9 to 12 months, in full and part-time employment January to December 2005-09 
			  Percentage 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			  UK 19.3 20.0 19.6 22.3 20.9 31.8 36.5 34.8 32.9 37.0 
			 England 17.2 19.4 19.6 20.9 20.2 32.2 37.0 34.4 32.8 37.4 
			 North East (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 
			 North West (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 36.8 37.5 30.5 29.1 30.4 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 32.6 39.7 38.5 35.4 38.9 
			 East Midlands (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 40.5 39.4 (2)- (2)- 
			 West Midlands (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 37.0 37.3 26.4 40.8 
			 Eastern (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 38.3 37.4 41.4 47.5 
			 London (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 24.1 27.3 25.7 20.6 25.7 
			 South East (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 41.0 40.9 34.5 40.8 40.8 
			 South West (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 39.7 42.4 40.6 40.4 42.5 
			
			 Wales (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 33.5 33.4 35.5 29.9 45.7 
			 Scotland 23.0 17.1 20.9 26.4 26.4 34.0 34.9 38.4 37.1 32.0 
			 Northern Ireland (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 
			 (1 )Aged 16 to 64 (2) Estimates are considered unreliable for practical purposes. This is because of small sample sizes. Source: APS household dataset

Further Education: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time lecturers were employed in the further education sector in Greater London in each of the last three years.

John Hayes: The numbers of full and part time further education teaching staff employed in Greater London in each of the last three years are set out in the following table:
	
		
			   2007/08  2008/09  2009/10 
			   Full time  Part time  Full time  Part time  Full time  Part time 
			 Greater London 5,072 10,929 6,424 13,865 5,999 11,500 
			  Note:   Mode was unknown for 52 staff in 2007/08 and 65 staff in 2008/09. These staff have been excluded from the table.   Source:   Staff Individualised Record (SIR) Data. 
		
	
	The occupational category "providing teaching and promoting learning" is used to derive the primary role of each member of staff from the proportion of time that a member of staff spends on this activity. This definition varies slightly to that used in the annual SIR report so staff numbers may vary slightly between these sources.

Higher Education: Business

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 876-81W, on higher education, what the monetary value is of university spin-offs established with funding from his Department and its predecessors in the last five years; how many jobs have been created in such spin-offs in that period; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The Department does not systematically collect information on the monetary value of all university spin-offs established or the number of jobs created in such spin-offs.
	Estimates of turnover, external investment and employment in active spin-off firms are collected by the Higher Education-Business and Community Interaction survey (HE-BCI), which is currently conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
	Table 1 shows (a) the numbers of active spin-off firms; (b) estimated current employment of all active firms; (c) estimated current turnover of all active firms; and (d) estimated external investment received for UK higher education institution (HEI) in the last five years.
	
		
			  Table 1 :  University spin-offs, 2005-06 to 2009-10( 1,2,3) 
			   Number of active firms  Estimated current employment of all active firms (FTE)  Estimated current turnover of all active firms (£000, cash terms)  Estimated external investment received (£000, cash terms) 
			 2005-06 1,143 16,223 528,582 (4)- 
			 2006-07 1,230 12,226 599,148 (4)- 
			 2007-08 1,307 13,988 1,131,865 846,632 
			 2008-09 1,311 14,180 1,511,010 699,702 
			 2009-10 1,340 16,942 1,761,873 1,139,443 
			 (1) Spin-offs include those with some HEI ownership.  (2) 2005-06 to 2007-08 data collected by HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England); 2008-09 to 2009-10 by HESA.  (3) Active firms may include those older than five years old.  (4 )Not available.  Source :  Higher Education-Business and Community Interaction survey (HE-BCI).

Horticulture: Qualifications

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many degree courses in horticulture there were in  (a) 2000-01 and  (b) 2010-11.

David Willetts: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects information on students in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The most recent data available covers the 2009/10 academic year; figures for 2010/11 will be available in January 2011.
	HESA use the Joint Academic Coding System (JACS) to code a student's subject of study. Horticulture is not explicitly listed as a category within the JACS coding system, but falls within the principal subject of agriculture. The subject groups, as well as the way in which students were assigned to their subject of study, changed in 2002/03, making earlier figures incomparable. Therefore, figures for 2002/03 and 2009/10, which are calculated on the same basis, have been provided.
	In 2009/10, 37 HEIs reported a total of 3,450 students as studying first degrees in agriculture. The comparable figures for 2002/03 were 40 HEIs with 3,635 first degree agriculture students. More than one agriculture-related degree course may be taught at any of these institutions.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the operation of  (a) knowledge transfer partnerships,  (b) knowledge transfer networks,  (c) collaborative research and development funding and  (d) the Small Business Rescue Initiative; how much his Department has allocated to each initiative in each of (i) the last five years and (ii) the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Knowledge Transfer Networks and Collaborative R&D are subject to a comprehensive but proportionate prior assessment and ex-post evaluation of their impact and value for money. These assessments follow a comprehensive set of criteria as outlined in the HM Treasury (HMT) Green Book. This involves two steps: identifying the rationale for Government intervention, and; applying cost benefit analysis to show that the intervention is additional, non-distortionary and value for money.
	Assessments include periodic monitoring surveys the last of which took place in 2007 for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, 2006 for Knowledge Transfer Networks, and 2009 for Collaborative R&D. Furthermore, the Technology Strategy Board, which has overall responsibility for delivery, has reviewed Knowledge Transfer Partnerships in 2010, Knowledge Transfer Networks in 2008 and Collaborative Research and Development is currently under review.
	The Small Business Research initiative has only been in operation since April 2009. While it is still too early for a full review, an initial analysis was carried out by NESTA in June 2010.
	The Department in 2006/07, and in subsequent years the Technology Strategy Board, has allocated the following funding to each initiative (the figures do not take into account other sources of funding):
	
		
			  Initiative  £000 
			  Knowledge Transfer Partnerships  
			 2006/07 21,130 
			 2007/08 34,636 
			 2008/09 25,841 
			 2009/10 21,782 
			   
			  Knowledge Transfer Networks  
			 2006/07 16,071 
			 2007/08 17,473 
			 2008/09 19,816 
			 2009/10 19,553 
			   
			  Collaborative Research and Development  
			 2006/07 50,042 
			 2007/08 124,631 
			 2008/09 113,814 
			 2009/10 196,844 
			   
			  Small Business Research Initiative  
			 2009/10 4,884 
		
	
	Funding levels for 2010/11 have yet to be finalised and future spend cannot be specified at this stage either as the different interventions are often used in concert to deliver programmes prioritised by the Technology Strategy Board.

Public Houses: Manpower

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the change in the number of jobs in the beer and pub industry and its supply chain over the last three years.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for an estimate in the change in the number of jobs in the beer and pub industry and its supply chain over the last three years. (48847)
	Annual statistics on the number of employees are published by ONS in its annual employment statistics from the Business Register Employment Survey (BRES). These figures detail the number of employees and exclude the self employed. An estimate of jobs, which includes self employed, would only be available through the Labour Force Survey but, due to BRES having a superior level of accuracy of industrial classification ONS has used the latter as its source for the information provided in the following table. The latest period to which figures are available is 2009.
	Table 1 provides information showing the numbers of employees engaged in the industries 'manufacturing of beer' and 'public houses and bars' in Great Britain for 2008 and 2009.
	
		
			  Table l: Number of employees in Great Britain for defined industries 
			  Thousand 
			   Period 
			  5-digit Standard Industrial Classification  2008  2009 
			 11050: Manufacture of beer 14.2 15.1 
			 56302: Public houses and bars 424.9 418.6 
			 Total 439.0 433.6

Technology Strategy Board

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2011,  Official Report, column 604W, on Technology Strategy Board, on what date he plans to publish the core budget for the Technology Strategy Board for 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The Technology Strategy Board will be formally notified of its allocation for the spending review period by the end of this month.

Technology Strategy Board

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to how many businesses the Technology Strategy Board has provided funds in each of the last five years; and to how many businesses he estimates it will provide funds in each of the next three years.

David Willetts: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 March 2011,  Official Report, column reference 887W. This gives the full years figures to date. The Technology Strategy Board has only been operational since July 2007.

Trade Unions: Training

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 720-2W on trade unions: training, how many courses provided by trade unions received funding from the public purse in each year for which figures are available; what the titles of such courses were; and how much funding was provided for each such course.

John Hayes: The Government have provided funding to trade unions to support a number of programmes but do not keep a central record of expenditure. The main source of Government funding over recent years to support trade union learning activity has been from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	This Department provides funding to support the Union Learning Fund (ULF) and unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organisation, which administers ULF on behalf of the Department.
	Trade unions are invited to submit proposals for ULF funding on an annual basis against a prospectus which clearly sets out the aims and objectives of ULF and the priorities for that year which are agreed with this Department. ULF is not used to fund the provision of education or training courses but enables trade unions and their union learning representatives to provide advice, guidance and support in order to help workers, particularly those with low skills, access learning opportunities to improve their skill levels. The ULF prospectus for 2011-12 was published on the unionlearn website in December 2010 and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	This Department has also funded three rounds of the Union Modernisation Fund, a grant scheme designed to support innovative projects to help unions adapt to changing labour market conditions. Training programmes for union officers and representatives were provided as part of some of these projects.
	A number of trade unions have received funding to support workforce development activity, which may have included the provision of training courses, at a regional level from either the skills funding agency (SFA, formerly the Learning and Skills Council) or a regional development agency (RDA).
	Detailed information, including the titles and costs of courses supported under the Union Modernisation Fund or through SFA/LSC and RDA regional workforce development activity is not held centrally by the Department. To collate and research this information would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Departments

Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment his Department made of the merits of the recommendations of the National Audit Office's report on major trauma care in England;
	(2)  whether his Department has taken steps to implement the recommendations of the National Audit Office's report on major trauma care in England.

Simon Burns: The Department and the national health service accepted the recommendations of the National Audit Office's report "Major trauma care in England" and are working to implement them in full. Strategic health authorities are leading the development of Regional Trauma Networks for major trauma care and the Department is assisting them in this process. Four networks are already in operation in London and further networks will start operating to cover the whole of England during the financial year 2011-12.

Allergies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many allergy  (a) consultants and  (b) training posts there are in the NHS.

Paul Burstow: The information requested is given in the following table, together with information on doctors in immunology who also provide services to allergy patients.
	
		
			  Hospital and community health services: medical and dental staff within the allergy and immunology specialties by grade, England at 30 September 2010 
			  Numbers (headcount)( 1) 
			   Total allergy and immunology  Allergy  Immunology 
			  All Staff 130 22 108 
			 Career Grade 83 12 71 
			 Consultant (including Director of Public Health) 80 12 68 
			 Associate Specialist 3   
			 Specialty Doctor 0 0 0 
			 Staff Grade 0 0 0 
			 
			  Doctors in Training and Equivalents( 2) 45 10 35 
			 Registrar Group 40 10 30 
			 Senior House Officer 1 0 1 
			 Foundation Year 2 2 0 2 
			 House Officer and Foundation Year 1 2 0 2 
			 
			  All Other Staff 2 0 2 
			 Hospital Practitioner/Clinical Assistant 2 0 2 
			 Other Staff 0 0 0 
			 (1) The new headcount methodology for 2010 data is not fully comparable with previous years data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. Further information on the headcount methodology is available in the 2010 Census publication: An overview of the NHS workforce including medical, non-medical and GP staff at an England level and by SHA The NHS Information Centre (2) Doctors in training and equivalents refers to the registrar group, senior house officer, foundation year 2, house officer and foundation programme year 1, other doctors in training and other staff at these grades that do not hold an educationally approved training post.  Data Quality: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses.  Source: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. Medical and Dental Workforce Census

Allergies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of the number of people with a condition that requires the help of an allergy specialist for diagnosis and management.

Paul Burstow: The information requested is not held centrally. In 2009-10, there were some 97,000 out-patient visits, including 39,000 first attendances, to out-patient clinics in the specialties of allergy, clinical immunology and allergy, and paediatric immunology and allergy. However, many patients with allergies will be managed in primary care or by specialists in other disciplines and estimates of the numbers concerned are not routinely available centrally.
	Estimates of the prevalence of the most common or serious allergic conditions (asthma, rhinitis, eczema, anaphylaxis, food allergy, drug allergy) were presented in a supporting document to the Department's "Review of services for allergy" (2006).

Allergies: Food

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department plans to take to improve knowledge of allergies among GPs in order to implement guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the effective diagnosis of food allergy in a primary care setting.

Paul Burstow: All doctors, including general practitioners (GPs), are responsible for maintaining the knowledge and skills needed for their clinical practice and for keeping abreast of important new guidance such as that in guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). In addition, GPs have access to guidance from sources such as "Clinical Knowledge Summaries and Patient UK" which cross-refer to NICE guidance as appropriate.

Autism: Carers

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to improve the support available to individuals with autism and their carers.

Paul Burstow: Important steps have already been taken to improve the support available to individuals with autism and their carers, through the Government's firm commitment to drive forward the adult autism strategy, "Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives: a strategy for adults with autism in England" (3 March 2010) and to tackle the disadvantages which people with autism and their families often face.
	This Government launched the new autism statutory guidance for health and social care, "Implementing Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives" (17 December 2010) to assist these bodies to develop services that support and meet the locally identified needs of people with autism and their families and carers and enable local transparency and accountability.
	Copies of both documents have already been placed in the Library.

Birth Certificates: Babies

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department issues guidance to NHS practitioners on the issuing of birth and death certificates for  (a) babies born at under 22 weeks of pregnancy and  (b) non-viable neonates.

Anne Milton: The Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, as amended, provides for the doctor or midwife who is present at a stillbirth or examines the body of a stillborn child to issue a medical certificate of stillbirth and for that stillbirth to be registered. A stillbirth is defined by the above Act as a child born dead after 24 weeks' gestation (the legal age of viability). A certificate of stillbirth and a certificate for burial or cremation are issued by the registrar.
	If a baby is born alive at any gestation a birth certificate will be issued. However, if the baby dies within 28 days of birth, the doctor who saw the baby before death issues a certificate certifying the death. This certificate must always be issued, even if the baby lived for only a few minutes.
	The birth of a baby born before 24 weeks who did not breathe or show any signs of life, cannot legally be registered. However, when a baby is born dead before 24 weeks, hospitals may issue a local certificate to commemorate the baby's birth.

Childbirth

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued to NHS practitioners on the medical assessment and treatment of babies born  (a) between 22 and 25 weeks,  (b) at under 22 weeks and  (c) at under 21 weeks of pregnancy; and when this guidance was last reviewed.

Anne Milton: The Government have not issued specific guidance on the treatment of extremely premature babies. Clinical intervention in such situations are made on a case-by-case basis by the health care staff concerned.
	To assist in these situations, the British Association of Perinatal Medicine published guidance in October 2008 entitled "The Management of Babies born Extremely Preterm at less than 26 weeks of gestation: A Framework for Clinical Practice at the time of Birth", which is based on the latest evidence and best practice. The guidance can be found at:
	www.bapm.org/media/documents/publications/Approved% 20manuscript%20preterm%20final.pdf
	The British Association of Perinatal Medicine standards are recommended rather than mandatory.

Departmental Freedom of Information

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 1 July 2008,  Official Report, column 862W, and 1 September 2008,  Official Report, column 1676W, on departmental freedom of information, if he will place in the Library a copy of the response to each request to his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for information on  (a) abortion,  (b) contraception,  (c) reproductive health issues and  (d) euthanasia where the request was agreed to and answered in (i) full and (ii) part since October 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: Copies of the information requested by the hon. Member have been placed in the Library.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the National Joint Registry Steering Committee;
	(3)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care;
	(4)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations;
	(5)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV;
	(6)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Human Genetics Commission;
	(7)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Genetics and Insurance Committee;
	(8)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee;
	(9)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs;
	(10)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens;
	(11)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances.

Simon Burns: The current running costs of advisory non-departmental public bodies are small and the opportunities for savings are corresponding in size. Once the changes signalled in the Public Bodies review are enacted, these committees, if not abolished, will be reconstituted as either committees of experts or stakeholder advisory groups, and are likely to incur similar running costs.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Independent Review Panel for the Advertising of Medicines;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Independent Review Panel for the Classification of Borderline Products;
	(3)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee;
	(4)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Committee on the Safety of Devices;
	(5)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products.

Simon Burns: The current running costs of advisory non-departmental public bodies are small and the opportunities for savings are corresponding in size. Once the changes signalled in the Public Bodies review are enacted, these committees will be reconstituted as committees of experts, and are likely to incur similar running costs.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Human Tissue Authority;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;
	(3)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Health Protection Agency;
	(4)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the General Social Care Council;
	(5)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence;
	(6)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Appointments Commission;
	(7)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Alcohol Education and Research Council;
	(8)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the change in function of Monitor.

Simon Burns: The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), issued a written ministerial statement on 16 March 2011,  Official Report, column 9WS, updating Parliament on progress on Public Bodies reform. That statement also announced that Departments estimate cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow from public bodies over the spending review period.
	The Department is currently working with its executive non-departmental public bodies (ENDPBs), to agree business plans and budgets for 2011-12 onwards. This process has not been concluded, therefore we are not in a position to provide savings estimates for individual ENDPBs.
	However from a baseline of 2010-11 plans, the Department has reduced annual grant in aid contribution to its ENDPB core services by £67 million.
	This is our best current estimate of planned savings to emerge from these reforms. They are dependent upon individual timetables for implementation and linked to the wider modernisation of the health system. The savings in many instances also require the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill and the Public Bodies Bill and subsequent secondary legislation.

Departmental Public Bodies

Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Expert Advisory Group on AIDS;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Committee on the Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment;
	(3)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment;
	(4)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants;
	(5)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Committee on Carcogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment;
	(6)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Advisory Group on Hepatitis;
	(7)  what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections.

Simon Burns: The current running costs of advisory non-departmental public bodies are small and the opportunities for savings are corresponding in size. Once the changes signalled in the Public Bodies review are enacted, these committees will be reconstituted as committees of experts, and are likely to incur similar running costs.

Drugs: Parents

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he holds on the number of children living in households in which a parent is dependent on  (a) alcohol and  (b) hard drugs.

Anne Milton: Information on the number of children living in households in which a parent was dependent on alcohol and drugs is not available.
	However, the 2007 "Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey" (APMS) provides information on the percentage of adults who live with one or more of their children, step children, foster children or children-in-law and who are dependent on  (a) alcohol and  (b) drugs.
	In the survey, 3.8% of people aged 16 or over reported being dependent on alcohol, where dependency is defined as a score of 16 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. Of those adults, 29% lived in a household with one or more of their children, step children, foster children or children-in-law.
	3.3% of people aged 16 or over reported being dependent on drugs. The drugs covered were cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, heroin/methadone, tranquillisers and volatile substances, but excluded LSD, magic mushrooms, amyl nitrite, and anabolic steroids, (as these types of drugs are less associated with the development of dependency). Of those adults, 27% lived in a household with one or more of their children, step children, foster children or children-in-law.
	The following table breaks down the number of children per household.
	
		
			  Number of their children, step children, foster children or children-in-law living in the household  Alcohol  Drugs 
			 0 71 73 
			 1 11 10 
			 2 11 12 
			 3 or more 6 5 
			  Source:  APM5, 2007 
		
	
	Given that some households contain more than one dependent adult, this information cannot be used to estimate the number of children living in households in which an adult was dependent on  (a) alcohol and  (b) drugs, as double counting would occur.

Epilepsy: Drugs

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2011,  Official Report, columns 769-70W, on epilepsy: drugs, if he will discuss with representatives of Bath and North East Somerset Primary Care Trust the use of stiripentol for the treatment of Dravet syndrome.

Paul Burstow: This is a matter for Bath and North East Somerset Primary Care Trust (PCT).
	In making funding decisions on individual treatments, PCTs are expected to take account of the available evidence.

General Practitioners

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he plans to make to reimburse GPs who meet quality standards under his proposals for GP commissioning.

Simon Burns: The Government have proposed that consortia that achieve high quality outcomes from the resources available to them should receive a 'quality premium', which the consortia can then disburse between the general practitioners (GP) practices that are members of the consortia.
	We will discuss further with the profession how to develop these arrangements so that they create the right incentives for collaborative work between practices to improve quality and outcomes and enable GPs to make the right clinical judgments for individual patients.

General Practitioners

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has made an assessment of any relationship between the size of population covered by a GP commissioning consortium and the running costs per head of population of commissioning healthcare.

Simon Burns: The impact assessment of the Health and Social Care Bill assesses the benefits, costs and risks of implementing the policies proposed in the NHS White Paper Equity and Excellence that require primary legislation. Annex A of the impact assessment covers the proposals on general practitioner (GP) commissioning. It highlights the potential risk of higher transaction costs should GP consortia, on average, commission services on behalf of populations smaller than primary care trusts. It also indicates that there is no consensus on a minimum size to handle the risk and that any risk could be shared through consortia working collaboratively or securing commissioning support from other organisations.

General Practitioners

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the per patient management allowance budget for GP consortia will be uniform across England.

Simon Burns: The expectation is that general practitioner (GP) consortia will have an allowance for running costs that could be in the range of £25 to £35 per head of population by 2014-15. We will not determine the exact amount until further work has been undertaken with pathfinders. The NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for determining exactly how the available resources for running costs are distributed between consortia.

Health Services: Freedom of Information

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the potential use by private and voluntary providers of health care of information secured from public sector competitors under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Simon Burns: The Department is not aware of any representations having been made. The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Health Services: Overseas Visitors

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he estimates is owed to NHS bodies  (a) in London and  (b) nationally by overseas visitors.

Anne Milton: The following table shows the total audited losses in respect of bad debts and claims abandoned for overseas visitors in 2009-10 for national health service bodies in London and in England. The table does not include monies owed that NHS hospitals are still in the process of recovering, which is not available centrally.
	
		
			  £ 
			   London  England 
			 2009-10 4,969,161 6,967,780 
			  Note:  We do not collect data from NHS foundation trusts so figures exclude these sites.  Source: NHS Trust Audited Summarisation Schedules.

Medical Records: Data Protection

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to protect patient confidentiality under his proposed changes to the structure of the NHS.

Simon Burns: Patient confidentiality, as with other aspects of good information governance, is the responsibility of every local organisation and this will not change even where structures do. All bodies providing national health service services are required to evidence their performance in this area annually. The Department provides a code of practice, supporting guidelines in the Information Governance Toolkit, a web-based resource, and free e-learning and other training resources. Sir David Nicholson, the NHS Chief Executive, has written to NHS Chief Executives to stress the importance of maintaining good information governance practice throughout the period of transition.

Mental Health: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department offers to parents of children diagnosed with  (a) emotional,  (b) behavioural and  (c) mental health conditions.

Paul Burstow: The national health service provides support to parents whose children are receiving treatment for mental health conditions, including emotional and behavioural problems. This can take several forms e.g. parent therapy, family therapy and support while their child is receiving therapy or medication. The only exceptions would be the small number of cases where the young person is competent to make their own decisions, and they decide that they do not want their parents involved, and the young person does not pose a danger to themselves or others.
	The refreshed carers strategy "Recognised, Valued And Supported: Next steps for the Carers Strategy" sets out the actions that the Government will take over the next four years to ensure the best possible outcomes for carers and those they support. These include supporting those with caring responsibilities to identify themselves as carers at an early stage, recognising the value of their contribution and involving them from the outset, both in designing local care provision and in planning individual care packages.
	New funding of £6 million has been made available to identify and support carers and an additional £400 million has been announced to provide breaks for all carers.

Mental Health: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for referrals to the child and adolescent mental health service in each primary care trust area in each of the last five years.

Paul Burstow: This information is not collected by the Department.
	"The Operating Framework for the NHS in England in 2011/12" stated that national health service organisations should pay particular attention to groups with specific needs including child and adolescent mental health services.
	We are investing funds to expand access to psychological therapies to children and young people. This will enable the development and initiation of a stand-alone programme to extend access to psychological therapies for children and young people building on learning from the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme. The programme will include a range of evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioural therapy and therapy that works directly with parents.
	This will mean that children and young people with a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety and conduct disorder will have better access to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence approved psychological therapies, alongside any medical treatment they may need from their general practitioner or specialist. It will also mean that their parents will receive relevant support. "Talking Therapies: a four-year plan of action" was published as a supporting document to the Government's mental health strategy "No health without mental health: a cross-government mental health outcomes strategy".

Mental Health: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of people diagnosed with chronic depression were referred to a specialist for NHS treatment in the latest period for which figures are available.

Paul Burstow: This information is not held centrally in the form requested.

NHS

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the average time taken to complete procurement processes conducted by NHS bodies for goods or services worth more than £100,000 in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what proportion of contracts for goods and services issued by the NHS and worth £100,000 or above were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(3)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of contracts awarded by NHS institutions above the value of £100,000 that have been subject to legal challenge in each of the last three years;
	(4)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of NHS tender processes for goods or services worth more than £100,000 which have been abandoned or recommenced due to legal challenge or representation in each of the last three years.

Simon Burns: National health service bodies (whether NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts or primary care trusts) are independent corporate bodies responsible and accountable for conducting their own procurement or tender exercises. This includes taking legal advice as appropriate. The Department itself does not hold any information centrally on such local procurement or tender exercises.

NHS

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the level of public satisfaction with the NHS; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether his Department has commissioned polls to establish public opinion on the NHS since his appointment.

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned from Ipsos MORI on public attitudes to the NHS in the last three years; and whether the outcomes of each such piece of research have been published.

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when his Department last  (a) commissioned and  (b) received polling data on public or patient satisfaction with the NHS; and whether this data has been published;
	(2)  if he will publish the results of the most recent opinion polls commissioned by his Department to measure patient and public satisfaction with the NHS.

Simon Burns: Since 2000, the Department has commissioned, from Ipsos MORI, tracking surveys of public attitudes towards the national health service and social care. Every tracking survey received by the Department has been published.
	I refer the hon. Members to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Leicester West (Liz Kendall) on 3 December 2010,  Official Report, column 1074W, which explained that the reports for 2008 to 2010 were being placed in the Library. Future surveys will be published in line with the Department's freedom of information publication scheme.

NHS Blood and Transplant

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the potential effect on donor goodwill of any proposal to remove NHS Blood and Transplant from the public sector.

Anne Milton: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Easington (Grahame M. Morris) on 8 March 2011,  Official Report, column 991W.
	NHS Blood and Transplant monitors donor attendance, experience and satisfaction on a regular basis.

NHS: Private Sector

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of treatment carried out by the private sector on behalf of the NHS in respect of  (a) learning difficulties,  (b) mental illness,  (c) maternity care,  (d) general and acute care,  (e) accident and emergency service provision,  (f) community health services and  (g) other contracted services in the latest period for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: The following table shows expenditure by national health service commissioners (primary care trusts) in England on the purchase of NHS treatment from non-NHS bodies for 2009-10, broken down by sector and the medical specialities requested; information is also held on expenditure on primary healthcare and revenue grants to local authorities (LAs) and private sector contractors and bodies to fund capital projects.
	
		
			  2009-10 Purchase of healthcare from non-NHS bodies 
			  £000 
			   Independent sector treatment centres  Other private sector providers  Voluntary sector  Other including local authorities 
			 Primary Healthcare 1,226 56,570 9,085 35,065 
			 Learning Difficulties 2,765 326,649 39,783 1,320,555 
			 Mental Illness 1,868 866,893 145,173 364,699 
			 Maternity 444 6,277 1,241 1,960 
			 General and Acute 345,988 761,336 75,297 107,624 
			 Accident and Emergency 2,230 2,709 4,531 42 
			 Community Health Services 1,619 836,869 139,556 455,504 
			 Other Contractual 16,918 886,672 143,952 431,282 
			 Grants (revenue) to LAs and private sector to fund Capital Projects - 21,538 1,828 32,378 
			 Total Healthcare Purchased from non-NHS Bodies 373,058 3,765,513 560,445 2,749,109 
			 Total 7,448,125 
			  Source: Audited summarisation schedules of primary care trusts 2009-10.

NIHR Centre for Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the National Institute of Health Research Centre for Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The new National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Centre for Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology, based at Queen Elizabeth hospital Birmingham, a £20 million joint initiative between the NIHR, the Ministry of Defence, university hospitals Birmingham and the university of Birmingham, launched on 20 January 2011.
	This initiative will bring both military and civilian trauma surgeons and scientists together to share innovation in medical research and advanced clinical practice in the battlefield to benefit all trauma patients in the national health service at an early stage of injury.
	Research will focus initially on today's most urgent challenges in trauma including:
	identifying effective resuscitation techniques;
	surgical care after multiple injuries or amputation; and
	fighting wound infections.

Primary Care Trusts: Redundancy

Martin Vickers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of staff who will be made redundant as a result of the abolition of primary care trusts.
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of staff employed by primary care trusts who will be transferred to positions within GP consortia.
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments arising from the closure of primary care trusts.

Simon Burns: The Government estimates that there will be around 17,000 redundancies as a result of the abolition of primary care trusts (PCTs), at an estimated cost of £768 million. It is estimated that 60% of PCT staff will transfer over to general practitioner consortia or the NHS Commissioning Board. Fuller details are given in the "co-ordinating document" for the impact assessment for the Health and Social Care Bill, which is available at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsLegislation/DH_123583
	A copy has already been placed in the Library.

Skin Cancer: Young People

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent steps his Department has undertaken to address trends in the incidence of melanoma in young adults;
	(2)  what his policy is on steps to reduce the incidence of life-threatening malignant melanomas.

Anne Milton: SunSmart is the national skin cancer prevention campaign and is run by Cancer Research UK on behalf of the United Kingdom Health Departments. SunSmart highlights the importance of sun protection and early detection of skin cancers including melanoma. The SunSmart website
	http://www.sunsmart.org.uk/
	provides information about the most recent campaign including details of the risks associated with cosmetic use of sunbeds. This includes communications designed to attract the notice of young people and the priority audience for 2011 will be 16-24 year olds.
	The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 is due to come into force on 8 April 2011. The Act makes it an offence for sunbed businesses to permit under 18s to use sunbeds on their premises. Guidance is being produced for local authorities to support the enforcement of the Act.

Smoking

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the incidence of smoking among  (a) adults,  (b) children and  (c) young people among (i) men and (ii) women in each socio-economic group in each of the last 10 years.

Anne Milton: Information is not available in the format requested. We hold information for adults (aged 16 and over) and young people (aged 11 to 15) but we do not hold information for children under 11.
	Information on the prevalence of cigarette smoking in England for adults aged 16 and over from 1978 to 2009 can be found in table 1.10 of General Lifestyle Survey 2009. Information is presented by country and sex.
	Information on the prevalence of cigarette smoking for adults in England aged 16 and over by sex and socio-economic classification (of the household reference person) from 2001 to 2009 can be found in table 1.7 of General Lifestyle Survey Smoking and drinking among adults 2009. These tables are available at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/GLF09/GLFSmoking-DrinkingAmongAdults2009.pdf
	Table 3.1a of Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2009 shows smoking behaviour among young people aged 11 to 15 by sex for the period 1982 to 2000. Table 3.1b shows the same information for the period 2001 to 2009. These are available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/sdd09fullreport
	Both of these publications have already been placed in the Library.

Smoking: Working Hours

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of working days lost due to the effects of  (a) smoking and  (b) alcohol consumption in each of the last five years.

Anne Milton: The data requested on smoking or alcohol are not centrally collected.
	Smoking is a known cause of absenteeism. The Policy Exchange Report Cough Up estimated the cost of absenteeism due to smoking to be between £1.1 billion and £2.5 billion. This report has been placed in the Library.
	The interim analytical report for the Alcohol Harm reduction project led by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, published in 2003, estimated that 11 to 17 million working days were lost per year due to alcohol-related sickness and 15 to 20 million days were lost due to reduced employment.

Stroke

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on best practice in managing the long-term consequences of stroke; and what consideration the NHS has given to potential changes to its services which could be made in consequence.

Simon Burns: The Department supports a number of projects through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) that are looking at best practice in managing the long-term consequences of stroke.
	For instance, the NIHR is supporting a programme of work that aims to understand users' perspectives of longer term need, and policy makers and providers' perspectives of service configurations to address these needs. This will help refine care solutions to implement the Stroke Strategy.
	The NIHR also supports a series of Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRCs). The work of the South Yorkshire CLAHRC in stroke, aims to improve long-term provision and effectiveness of rehabilitation in the community, support self management, and encourage independence, recreation and employment for people, living with stroke and their carers. The Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire CLAHRC is investigating the commissioning, management and delivery of services that enable stroke survivors to return to work.
	To support the national health service to commission and provide evidence based, high quality services, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently developing a clinical guideline on rehabilitation after stroke. It expects to publish its final guideline in April 2012. NICE is taking the latest available evidence and developments in clinical practice into account when developing this guidance.
	In addition, the Stroke Improvement Programme was established to provide national support for local improvement of stroke services across the entire pathway-from early identification of stroke through to managing stroke as a long-term condition. In doing so, it has developed good practice evidence through its own national projects, the learning from which can be rolled out locally.
	The Stroke Improvement Programme's (SIP) Accelerating Stroke Improvement programme has nine indicators to measure progress against; four of these cover the long-term part of the care pathway. Information about the activity of SIP is available at:
	www.improvement.nhs.uk/stroke/

Surgery

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many urgent operations on the NHS were cancelled in each year since 1997.

Simon Burns: The information requested is provided in the following table. The number of operations cancelled prior to 2002 is not held centrally.
	
		
			  Financial year  Number of urgent operations cancelled 
			 2002-03 1,809 
			 2003-04 2,489 
			 2004-05 2,000 
			 2005-06 1,975 
			 2006-07 1,909 
			 2007-08 2,456 
			 2008-09 2,339 
			 2009-10 2,534 
			 2010-11(1) 2,389 
			 (1 )Data for 2010-11 up to February 2011 only.

Surgery: Walsall

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many surgical procedures have been cancelled in  (a) Walsall Manor Hospital and  (d) hospitals in Walsall Teaching Primary Care Trust area since May 2010.

Simon Burns: This information is not available in the format requested.
	From 1 April 2010 to 31 December 2010 there were a total of 149 last minute elective operations cancelled for non clinical reasons in Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust. The quarterly breakdown is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of last minute cancelled operations for non-clinical reasons at Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust 
			   Quarter  Period  Number of cancelled operations 
			 2010-11 1 April to June 2010 64 
			 2010-11 2 July to September 2010 60 
			 2010-11 3 October to December 2010 25 
			 Total   149 
			  Note: This information is only collected at provider trust level. However, Walsall Manor Hospital is the only acute hospital in the Walsall Teaching Primary Care Trust area.  Source: Department of Health dataset quarterly monitoring cancelled operations

Teenage Pregnancy

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of women in each region aged between 15 and 19 gave birth in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	  Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what proportion of women in each region aged between 15 and 19 gave birth in each of the last five years.
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2009. The table below shows the percentage of women aged between 15 and 19 that gave birth for the years 2005 to 2009. Percentages are based on the number of women aged under 20 giving birth (from birth registration) and the female population aged 15-19 (from mid-year population estimates). Figures are presented for England, Wales and each Government Office Region in England.
	
		
			  Percentage of women aged 15 to 19 giving birth by area of usual residence( 1) , 2005 -0 9 
			   Percentage of women aged 15 to 19 giving birth 
			  Area of usual residence  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 
			 England, Wales and elsewhere(1) 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.5 
			 England 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 
			 Wales 3.2 3.2 3.0 3.1 2.9 
			   
			  Government Office Regions within England:  
			 North East 3.4 3.5 3.5 3.3 3.2 
			 North West 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.9 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.0 
			 East Midlands 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.7 2.6 
			 West Midlands 3.1 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.9 
			 East 2.1 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1 
			 London 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2 
			 South East 2.0 2.1 2,0 2.0 2.0 
			 South West 2.1 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.2 
			 (1) Women who give birth in England and Wales whose usual residence is outside England and Wales are included in the figures for 'England, Wales and elsewhere' but are excluded from any subdivisions of England and Wales. In 2009, only 15 women aged 15 to 19 whose usual residence was outside England and Wales gave birth in England and Wales.

Trauma: Armed Forces

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for Defence the adoption in NHS hospitals of life-saving techniques developed in military conflict in Afghanistan for the treatment of trauma injuries; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: There are a number of processes in place to ensure that best practice is shared between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Defence Medical Services (DMS) and the national health service. We accept that the NHS can learn from the skills and techniques developed in military conflict, to the benefit of civilian patients.
	When not on deployment, DMS medical personnel maintain their clinical skills in the NHS ensuring cross pollination between skills developed whilst on deployment and NHS best practice. Similarly, NHS Reservists bring the crisis management skills they learn on operation back into the NHS.
	We also collaborate on and share the results of defence medical research. The NHS works with MOD and other stakeholders to develop the Government's response to major incidents, and share best practice through informal bilateral links and through the MOD and Department of Health Partnership Board and its working groups.

Voluntary Work

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on encouraging its staff to volunteer in each of the last five years; and how much it plans to spend in each of the next five years.

Simon Burns: The Department of Health has spent £27,625 in 2010-11, so far, on encouraging its staff to volunteer. This cost covered membership fees for Time  Talent Westminster and Leeds Ahead to support teams and individuals to find volunteering opportunities in London and Leeds where our main offices are located. Prior to 2010 there was no specific budget for this purpose.
	For 2011-12, the total cost will be £25,000. A breakdown of cost is provided as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			  Period  Leeds Ahead  Volunteer Centre Westminster - Time  Talents Westminster 
			 2010-11 17,625.00 10,000.00 
			 2011-12 15,000.00 10,000.00 
		
	
	Future spend after 2012 is under review, and has yet to be decided upon.

Young People: Alcoholism

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of people aged  (a) 16 to 19 and  (b) 12 to 15 in each region were alcohol dependent in the latest period for which figures are available.

Anne Milton: Information on dependency is available from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS), results for which were published in the report Adult Psychiatric Morbidity in England, 2007 in 2009. This is available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/psychiatricmorbidity07
	The survey includes information on the prevalence of alcohol use and dependence by age, sex, region and other factors for 2000 and 2007. The survey covered people aged 16 or over living in private households in England. Information on alcohol dependency among those aged 12 to 15 is not available. Due to the small sample sizes, figures for alcohol dependent 16 to 19-year-olds are not available at regional level.
	The Department estimates alcohol dependence by reference to a score of 16 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)(1). In the APMS, it was estimated that 4.7% of 16 to 19-year-olds in England were alcohol dependent in 2007 on the basis of this definition, equating to about 130,000 people.
	In the APMS, alcohol dependence was also assessed using the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ-C), with a score of four or more indicating mild, moderate or severe dependence. This includes cases of mild dependence not requiring any interventions. It was estimated that 9.5% of 16 to 19-year-olds in England scored four or more on this measure in 2007, equating to about 260,000 people.
	(1)AUDIT was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a method of screening for excessive drinking and to help identify alcohol dependence. It consists of 10 questions about recent alcohol use, alcohol dependence symptoms, and alcohol-related problems. This definition is consistent with that used in the Alcohol Needs Assessment Research Project (ANARP) published in 2005. ANARP used a cut-off score on the AUDIT of 16 to identify moderately or severely dependent drinkers, and with a view to estimating the need for treatment.